Current Wildfire Mitigation Projects
Daniels Gate Road and Griggs Road Road
The City will conduct mechanical wildfire mitigation work in open space near Daniels Gate Road and Grigs Road. This work will begin in November 2023 and continue for approximately six weeks. Here are some things you need to know:
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- The trail through this property will be closed during the duration of this project. Please respect this closure for your safety and the safety of our contractors.
- Heavy equipment will be running in the area. Please do not approach the machinery.
This mitigation work will include creating oak mosaics. By strategically thinning or removing some oak trees and underbrush, mosaic treatment can create natural firebreaks. These firebreaks can slow the spread of wildfires, giving firefighters a better chance to control the blaze and protect the community. This method also preserves scenic areas while implementing fire mitigation measures.Â
This project is the first mechanical mitigation project in our ongoing wildfire mitigation work.
Mechanical mitigation efforts will occur in open space near Grigs Road and Daniels Gate Road.
Future Wildfire Mitigation
The City is working with specialists to develop a Community Wildfire Prevention Implementation Plan (CWPIP). The CWPIP will address the mitigation needs of open space parcels over the next three years.Â
The final CWPIP will provide annual treatment recommendations, including tactics such as mowing, plans for initial mechanical treatments, and recommendations for mechanical re-treatments in future years. Treatment priorities will be based on considerations such as proximity to homes, "critical infrastructure," continuity and volume of fuels, and topographic features.Â
The CWPIP will be completed by the end of 2023 and will be used to determine the open space parcels that will receive mitigation work in 2024.Â
Additionally, the City received a Colorado State Forest Service wildfire mitigation grant. This award will supplement the funds required to provide mitigation to City-maintained open spaces over the next few years.
FAQs
What is mechanical wildfire mitigation?
Mechanical wildfire mitigation involves using heavy machinery to clear, thin, or modify vegetation in fire-prone areas to reduce the risk of wildfires.
The City's focus is to use mosaic treatments, which allow for a more nuanced approach, preserving scenic areas while implementing fire mitigation measures.
Why is it necessary?
Mechanical wildfire mitigation is necessary to create defensible spaces, reduce fuel loads, and protect lives, property, and the environment from the devastating impacts of wildfires.
How does it work?
Machinery like bulldozers, mulchers, and chainsaws are used to create firebreaks, remove flammable vegetation, and manage overgrown areas, preventing the rapid spread of wildfires.
Mosaic treatments are part of a broader strategy of fire adaptation, which aims to create landscapes and communities that are more resilient to wildfires. By reducing the risk of catastrophic fires, mosaic treatments contribute to overall fire-adapted ecosystems.
What are the benefits?
Mechanical mitigation enhances community safety, protects property, reduces the intensity of wildfires, and promotes overall fire resilience. It's a proactive measure to prevent wildfire disasters.
Mechanical fire mitigation also benefits firefighters. When communities have created defensible spaces and reduced fuel loads, it becomes safer for firefighters to defend homes and properties during a wildfire.
What is the difference between mechanical mitigation and goat mitigation?
Wildfire mitigation tactics using goats and mechanical methods are both valuable approaches, but they differ significantly in how they reduce wildfire risks and impact the environment.
Goats offer a more natural and selective approach, which is well-suited for smaller areas and sensitive ecosystems.Â
Mechanical methods, on the other hand, are more rapid and extensive, making them suitable for large-scale projects.
