As our climate changes, scientists forecast that fast-moving wildfires will burn hotter and longer in increasingly dry conditions. Last year alone, Colorado saw the three largest wildfires in its history. These fires occurred in what’s called the wildland-urban interface – or WUI – where development is near or on forested lands. More than two-thirds of Jefferson County is in the WUI, including Evergreen and Conifer which rank in the top 10 nationally in the potential risk of property loss to wildfire. What lessons did we learn in 2020? How do we work together to reduce risk and keep our community safe? What role can each of us play individually?
Join us for an in-depth conversation with a panel of experts:
+ CO Dept. of Natural Resources Director Dan Gibbs
+ Inter-Canyon Fire Chief Skip Shirlaw
+ Evergreen Community Leader Cindy Latham
Last year alone, Colorado saw the three largest wildfires in its history. These fires occurred in what’s called the wildland-urban interface – or WUI – where development is near or on forested lands.
More than two-thirds of Jefferson County is in the WUI, including Evergreen and Conifer. They rank in the top 10 nationally in the potential risk of property loss due to wildfire.
What lessons did we learn in 2020? How do we work together to reduce risk and keep our community safe?
Join us along with Congressman Joe Neguse on Saturday, May 15 at 9 a.m. for a virtual, in-depth conversation with a panel of experts:
- CO Dept. of Natural Resources Director Dan Gibbs
- Inter-Canyon Fire Chief Skip Shirlaw
- Evergreen Community Leader Cindy Latham
We hope to see you there and look forward to taking your questions! Please register here:
fb.me/e/1jxbkaUyw
Thank you to our County Commissioners, state representatives Lisa Cutter and Senator Tammy Story, and U.S. Congressman Neguse for focusing on wildfire preparation at their recent Town Hall Meeting. This issue is one of our greatest concerns facing residents in the Foothills and having awareness raised and action taken is so incredibly important.
Thank you to Deb Hurley Brobst for this article in Colorado Community Media on Tuesday's Jeffco Town Hall on Wildfire Mitigation in which our Chair, Cindy Latham, was one of the speakers.
“As residents, it’s our responsibility to learn how to adapt to living with wildfire risk,” Cindy Latham, chair of the foothills’ Rotary Wildfire Ready program, said at a virtual town hall meeting on wildfire preparedness on May 15. “There are all sorts of things we can do to get ready.”
The town hall, sponsored by Jeffco Commissioners Lesley Dahlkemper and Andy Kerr, State Sen. Tammy Story, D-Conifer, and state Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-South Jeffco, focused on what property owners can do to help mitigate the risks and what government can do to help encourage others to begin the daunting task of mitigation in the Wildland-Urban Interface."
www.rotarywildfireready.com/
In our mountain communities, wildfires are a major hazard. Residents are urged to take steps now to assess their wildfire risk, safeguard their homes and prepare for wildfire. You not only increase the safety of your property, but more importantly, you increase the safety of your family. We can help! See our website for helpful resources and information.
