Events and prizes planned for Wildfire Awareness Month

Free wildfire assessments offered by Wildfire Partners during the month of May

Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Commissioners signed a resolution on May 1 declaring May as Wildfire Awareness Month. The goal of declaring the awareness campaign is for homeowners to become better prepared for future wildfires by completing critical mitigation measures. In addition to declaring May as Wildfire Awareness Month, the county’s Wildfire Partners program is offering free home assessments for homeowners to support their mitigation efforts. 

Boulder County’s Wildfire Partners program provides homeowners with technical and financial assistance to support mitigation efforts. Launched in 2014, the program has more than 1,500 participants and more than 40 partner organizations. 

“I encourage homeowners to work with the helpful, professional advisors from Wildfire Partners to develop a customized mitigation plan so they work smarter—not just harder—to reduce their wildfire risk,” said Boulder County Commissioner and Wildfire Partners Chair Cindy Domenico. “By coordinating efforts among neighbors, residents can help create more resilient communities.”

Photo Contest & Cash Prizes
To reward proactive residents, Wildfire Partners is offering $5,000 in cash prizes as part of its Photo Contest and Recruitment Challenge. The goal is for more than 1,000 residents to reduce their wildfire risk, share photos of their efforts, and encourage friends and neighbors to prepare too. To learn how to win, visit www.WildfirePartners.org/wildfire-awareness-month. Prize money and support provided by Property Casualty Insurers Association of America and Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
Saturday, May 5 is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day—a day when communities across Boulder County, Colorado, and the nation come together to take action to reduce wildfire risk. To celebrate, the Boulder County Community Sort Yard in Nederland will be holding an open house and other Community Chipping Events are scheduled throughout the county 

     What: Nederland Sort Yard Open House
     When: Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
     Where: Nederland Community Sort Yard, 291 Ridge Road
     What: Come drop off your slash, enjoy lunch
                (courtesy of Boulder County Parks & Open Space),
                and meet with staff from a variety of wildfire and
                forestry agencies and organizations. 

Boulder County has helped fund community chipping events since 1993. These events are a great way for communities to come together to reduce their wildfire risk. Twelve community chipping events are planned for 2018 in the following nine communities: Olde Stage and Red Hill Roads, Saint Anton Highlands, Crestview Estates, Pinecliffe, Sugarloaf Fire Protection District, Sunshine Fire Protection District, Seven Hills, Magnolia Road, and Gold Hill. If you are interested in organizing a chipping event in your community visit the Community Chipping Event webpage.

These events are also a great opportunity for you to take an action photo for the photo contest!

“Fire officials are warning that dry conditions mean that fire danger is a concern for the upcoming season,” said Sheriff Joe Pelle. “Therefore, now is the perfect time for homeowners to act. They need to take a comprehensive, science-based approach to address their home’s greatest vulnerabilities first, and Wildfire Partners is a great way to figure out project prioritization.”

For more information about Wildfire Partners and Wildfire Preparedness Month, visit www.WildfirePartners.org or contact Jim Webster at jbwebster@nullbouldercounty.org or 720-564-2600.