Gunnison an ideal place to locate regional fire response resources

Feds and local personnel work together to maintain wildfire safety

by Mark Reaman 

When it comes to wildfire potential, Gunnison County is in a unique, and somewhat favorable situation. Surrounded by millions of acres of public lands that attract many visitors, it is centrally located in Colorado and has good transportation networks so it’s a good place to locate fire prevention and response resources. That in turn, results in extremely quick response to fires in the area. The U.S. Forest Service has chosen this county as a response hub and it’s paid off.

“Resources are strategically placed based on anticipated fire behavior, values at risk and the ability to respond quickly across a broad landscape. We identify communities, transportation corridors and recreation areas that often experience high visitor use or elevated fire danger,” explained Daniel Malta, public affairs officer for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests. “Interagency duty officers then evaluate weather, fuel conditions and ongoing activity to determine the most effective locations for engines, aircraft, hand crews and support modules. Positioning resources where they can respond rapidly, such as in Gunnison and Lake City, has consistently proven effective in containing new fire starts.”

Malta said that Gunnison County offers an ideal combination of access, capacity and need. The area includes extensive public lands, heavy seasonal recreation traffic and fire-prone terrain. He said as a city, Gunnison provides strong access to air resources as well as established logistical infrastructure and local partnerships that support efficient firefighter mobilization.

“Placing resources in Gunnison County improves response times for the county and neighboring Hinsdale and Saguache counties, making it a strategic hub within the region,” he said. “Having resources nearby significantly reduces response times and ensures an aggressive, coordinated response will help keep fires small. This is critical during periods of lightning, high winds or extremely dry fuels. Rapid response limits fire spread, protects homes and recreation sites and reduces smoke impacts. Incident response personnel also support the local economy through lodging, meals, supplies, fuel, equipment repairs and service contracts — an important benefit during a high-activity and economically sensitive summer.”

It takes a strong team to make it all work. Wildfire response in the area relies on close coordination among the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office, local fire protection districts, Hinsdale County partners and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control along with numerous other federal and state cooperators. “These relationships help agencies share information, equipment, personnel and planning responsibilities. Local knowledge, especially from county emergency managers and volunteer departments, supports alignment between containment strategies, community priorities and evacuation needs,” Malta said.

So far in this relatively dry and windy summer, the strategy has paid off for the area. It was evident earlier this summer when a lightning strike started a high-profile wildfire just outside of Almont. “Quick containment of several recent fire starts, including those noted by local fire officials, shows the strategy is working,” Malta emphasized. “Success is measured by protecting lives, minimizing impacts to communities and visitors and stewarding public lands responsibly. In this case, proactive preparedness, strong interagency coordination and support from local partners have produced positive outcomes for the region.”

Malta said the resources will remain in Gunnison County while fire danger, regional activity and predictive services indicate elevated need. “During sustained dry conditions, high visitor use or active large fires, we maintain an increased presence,” he said. “As seasonal risk decreases, resources are reassessed and may shift to areas experiencing greater activity. The goal is to keep them where they can best protect communities and landscapes.

“We appreciate the continued support from Gunnison County, Lake City and surrounding communities,” Malta concluded. “Firefighters working in the area are not only protecting lives and landscapes but are also contributing to local economies through daily lodging, meals, supplies and service needs. Strong partnerships between agencies and communities make rapid, effective response possible. We encourage residents to stay connected to official updates, maintain readiness and continue the collaboration that keeps mountain communities safe.”