Local Firefighters Prepare for Wildfire Season -- And Urge Residents to Prepare, Too

Wednesday, April 04, 2007 - Summit County, CO

The onset of spring in Summit County means the retreat of snow, the shedding of long underwear and heavy jackets, and a collective re-adjustment to warmth. Spring marks a relaxing, slower, less-bustling time in Summit County... unless you are a firefighter. While most Summit County residents are busy transitioning from their winter mindset to a summer mindset, firefighters from Lake Dillon Fire Rescue, Red, White and Blue Fire Protection District and Copper Mountain Fire Departments are reviewing, practicing and fine-tuning their wildland firefighting skills in advance of the summer wildfire season.

The intense April training plan at the High Country Training Center focuses on wildland firefighting preparation as well as wildfire issues specific to Summit County (i.e., terrain, residential areas close to forests, etc.). "Firefighter training will emphasize identifying high hazard areas in our County, tactics in reading fire behavior, structure protection, using wildfirespecific equipment and tools, cutting strategies and, of course, safety procedures," notes Brandon Williams, Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue public information officer. Every firefighter in the County will participate in the training and the annual "pack test" will also be conducted to test strength and physical capabilities to ensure firefighters are primed to meet the intense physical demands of fighting fires in the forest, on uneven terrain and challenging conditions.

In addition to honing skills, fire authorities are keeping a close eye on the weather conditions, moisture predictions and fire status across the region to monitor the specific threat to Summit County. "Training and monitoring are only part of the approach" notes Summit County Wildfire Mitigation Officer, Patti Maguire "we are also reaching out to homeowners to show how what they do dramatically contributes to reducing the threat." To prepare for the upcoming wildfire season, Maguire suggests property managers and property owners follow a few simple tips:

♦ Clearly post your address -- use numbers that contrast so firefighters and emergency responders can find you in an emergency and remember to keep brush and trees cut back so the address stands out

♦ Create defensible space around your property by trimming branches to lower limbs approximately one-third the height of the tree, stacking firewood away from the home, mowing dry grasses and weeds, removing dead brush, and thinning brush cover

♦ Work with your family and friends to keep contact numbers up to date and to develop an emergency evacuation plan by picking a "safe area" to meet in case of an emergency

Any additional information regarding wildfire season preparation, please feel free to contact Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue at (970) 513-4201, Red, White and Blue Fire Protection District at (970) 453-2474, Copper Mountain Fire Department at (970) 968-2300 or Summit County’s Wildfire Mitigation Officer at (970) 513-4237.

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Press Contact:
Capt. Kim Scott, PIO
cell: 970.485.4374
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Brandon Williams
Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue, Public Information Officer
(970) 418-0562

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