Get Informed
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- Find where fires are occurring locally and around the nation.
- Guidance for who is in evacuation and pre-evacuation and what to know.
- Learn about a local incident and find out who is responding.
- Get information on our air quality and health advice from Smoke Ready.
- Prepare for what weather is predicted.
Understanding Fire
Fire scientists study how fires burn and use that information to develop tools and techniques for protecting homes and forests. Understanding fire behavior will help you better prepare your home and property for wildfire.
How Homes Burn & How Forest Burn iconography used with permission from University of Nevada, Reno Ext. and the Living With Fire Program.
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What is a Fire Adapted Community?
A Fire Adapted Community is a knowledgeable and engaged community working together to prepare for wildfire. Oftentimes, a neighborhood leader serves as the point of contact in the neighborhood, educates neighbors, and empowers the neighborhood to prepare for wildfire.
- Be aware of when we are in Red Flag Warning and what that means.
- Understand local fire restrictions and what they mean.
- Planning for living with fire means being smoke prepared.
- Create an annual wildfire mitigation maintenance plan and work with neighbors to tackle a project each year; or reach a local contractor for assistance.
A watershed is a geography including all the tributaries and areas where runoff and groundwater is carried to a main water supply such as the Animas River. Wildfire mitigation can lead to lower severity fire, protecting soil, limiting flooding, and decreasing impacts to our watershed.
This material is also known as woody biomass. Regardless of it's form, it still has useable life. Consider these options for re-use:
- Donate firewood to families in need
- Utilize for compost and mulch
- Stabilize slopes
- Timber Age for building solutions
Wood mulch is combustible and should have limited use near structures.
What are burn piles and how do I make one?
Please contact your Fire District to determine if a burn permit is required and to get advice on burning.
On the day of burning, whether burn permits are required or not, please notify local, non-emergency dispatch so they are expecting smoke. (970)385-2900.