October is Wildfire Awareness Month

Reissued 10/01/12 by Jennifer Hillmann, Public Information Officer

FRONT RANGE COUNTIES PARTNER TO RECOGNIZE OCTOBER WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH

Monday, October 1, 2012– Six Front Range counties have recognized October as Wildfire Awareness Month. Boulder, Clear Creek, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson and Larimer counties each will honor the month in different ways – events include educational programs, chipping events, community mitigation and forestry thinning efforts, and increased outreach to forested communities about wildfire along the Front Range.

All of these counties include forested areas that are home to thousands of residents and visitors, and to resources such as drinking water that are depended upon by people far beyond their borders. With population growth in the forested areas, there is an increased risk of wildfire and an increased risk of the impact on residents. Wildfire Awareness Month provides the opportunity to focus on education and outreach to these communities about the impacts of wildfires and how they can help reduce the risks.

Wildfire mitigation measures can help minimize the destructive effects a wildfire has on forested lands and homes in the wildland urban interface. The Wildfire Awareness Month events that are ongoing – this month and beyond – are aimed at educating residents and promoting action to reduce the severity of future wildfires along the Front Range.

This year marks the first year of a cooperative effort among counties to recognize one month for Wildfire Awareness. “With the conditions we are now facing along the Front Range – poor forest conditions, drought and increased development in the wildland urban interface – Boulder County recognizes that wildfire awareness is a year-round endeavor,” Commissioner Cindy Domenico said. “Partnering with other Front Range counties to identify one month during which we can join efforts and expand our message about wildfire awareness will help reach more residents.”

Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith added, "After the events of this summer, Wildfire Awareness month is a good opportunity for everyone to make sure they have taken all the steps necessary to protect their home as much as possible from future fires." 

For more information about wildfire awareness and Wildfire Awareness Month events scheduled in your county, check the following websites: