With wildfires already burning homes in Colorado this spring, more than three-quarters of the state in drought conditions and a low snowpack, the possibility of a dangerous wildfire season looms in the minds of many residents. Now is an ideal time for homeowners living in the wildland-urban interface, public lands users and others to become more knowledgeable about how they can join in reducing wildfire risk.

May is Wildfire Awareness Month in Colorado, and for the next four weeks an online campaign to inform and educate Coloradans about wildfire risk and steps that can be taken to reduce risk will be the focus of a partnership between the Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region.

Each week this month, partner agencies will focus on a different theme related to wildfire awareness, with topics including the promotion of Wildfire Preparedness Day on May 5; the importance of Fire Adapted Communities and reducing personal wildfire risk; government agency preparedness measures for wildfire management and response in Colorado; and human-caused wildfire prevention tips targeting those who work and play where communities and wildlands meet.

The Colorado State Forest Service works together with the National Fire Protection Association to implement the Firewise USA® program in the state, and provides technical assistance and education to interested landowners, homeowners and communities to help them take action and ownership in preparing their homes against the threat of wildfire.

Wildland fire management in Colorado is an interagency partnership among local, state and federal agencies across the nation. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) and U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region work with other local, state and federal agencies to coordinate wildland fire management on a statewide basis.

By working together in these efforts, the ultimate goals of these agencies are resilient, fire-adapted Colorado landscapes and communities that best provide for firefighter and public safety.

For more information about reducing wildfire risk or this month’s campaign, visit the agency social media pages or search for the hashtag#COWildfireAware2018.

Facebook pages:

Colorado State Forest Service: https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoStateForestService/

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: https://www.facebook.com/CODivFirePrevControl/

U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region