The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Protecting homes from wildfires
By Kristy Acuff
Representatives from the West Region Wildfire Council (WRWC) met with the Gunnison Board of County Commissioners Tuesday to present their plans for upcoming wildfire mitigation for Taylor Canyon and Quartz Creek homeowners this summer.
The WRWC conducts site visits for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas to help plan mitigation efforts in case of wildfires and hopes to recruit more homeowners to enlist their services this year.
“Last year we assessed 369 structures in Taylor Canyon for wildfire risk and mitigation. And this summer we plan to treat 57 acres through thinning and ground cover removal,” said Mike Tarantino of WRWC. “I would love to see more homeowners get on board with this program and schedule a site visit so we can complete mitigation efforts. Mitigation can really help in the event of a wildfire.”
“Yes, I remember seeing pictures of a wildfire outside of Boulder and the fire literally stepped around a house that had been thinned and mitigated,” said commissioner Phil Chamberland. “The home looked like an island surrounded by flames.”
“Our goal is to thin the crown canopy to limit crown fire behavior and make a fire more fightable,” said Tarantino. “When you reduce the crown canopy and ground cover around a home, the home is not only protected, but it can also become a safe place where fire crews can stand and fight.”
The WRWC is a non-profit agency funded in part through Gunnison County grant money. Since 2011, WRWC has completed 49 projects in Gunnison County, treating 184 acres of property. The costs to mitigate for wildfire risk are shared between the homeowner and WRWC funding depending on the project. For more information see the WRWC website, www.cowildfire.org.
