Latest news with #WildlandUrbanInterface
CBC
23-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Alberta government invests millions in new urban wildfire teams
The province is investing $6.5 million for six new Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) teams. They will be based in fire departments in Strathmore, Kananaskis, Hinton, Slave Lake, Lac La Biche County and the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Region. Two existing teams are located in Clearwater County and High Level.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Boulder City Council backs plan to expand fire-threatened area ahead of Colorado wildfire season
Boulder's City Council unanimously backed a plan on Thursday night to expand the city's view of properties that will face additional requirements due to the risk of wildfire in Colorado. The move, which faces a final vote likely in June, will increase the number of properties considered to be in the Wildland Urban Interface from 4600 to over 16,000. CBS Most of the property is west of Broadway, but in some areas, the properties that will likely face new restrictions will be east of the north-south throughfare. "I think there's a growing level of fear and neighboring communities because of the Marshall Fire and what happened, our proximity to the mountains, " said Karl Guiler, development code amendment manager for the city's Planning and Development Services. Some people spoke in support of the change in a lengthy council session on the issue Thursday night. "The purpose is not just to protect individual homeowners, it's to protect our city," said one resident to the council. The change means properties in new areas of the city will be subject to greater requirements for building codes to reduce fire danger. There are three classes of property designation. Most of the additional properties will be a Class III designation, with the fewest requirements. It will mean things like fire-resilient roofs and decking, as well as metal, not plastic, gutters and downspouts, as well as restrictions on fencing material when fences are close to homes. Boulder City Council CBS Reviews of the plans are mixed. "I think it's a good idea to have some kind of fire protection regulations, but let's not overdo it, said longtime homeowner Janet Heimer. Council members quizzed city leaders, including the Boulder Fire Chief, about the changes, but ultimately backed the plan. Boulder is trying to remain compliant with the International Wildland Urban Interface Code, which has been slowly dialing up recommended regulations about wildfire-prone areas. The city is in the 97th percentile of fire risk in the U.S. The requirements will not mean retrofitting. It is only for new construction or for significant changes like a new deck, not replacing an old one. "It's unrealistic to just change the rules overnight and then require everyone to meet the new rules, like the city doesn't have an enforcement arm that has the capability of enforcing to that level," said Guiler. A neighborhood in Boulder. CBS Colorado has required communities to adopt codes like this to mandate that communities meet or exceed the requirements of the state model codes. Boulder is among those acting earlier. There are likely to be additional regulations coming on landscaping, with recommendations in the summer. Highly flammable vegetation like juniper trees could be prohibited.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
First wildfire town hall set for May 13
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) will be hosting a Wildfire Town Hall for the community on Tuesday, May 13. On Tuesday, community members will learn about the ongoing threat of wildfire, how to prepare their homes for wildfires, how to be notified of an emergency, what to include in their emergency plan, and information on evacuations. The community will hear from CSFD Wildfire Mitigation, CSFD Operations, El Paso Teller 911 Authority, Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management, Springs Utilities, and the Colorado Springs Police Department. Individuals will also have the opportunity to sign up for the Neighborhood Chipping Program, a program that assists eligible individuals with disposal of tree branches and hazardous vegetation, and sign up for emergency alerts through Peak Alerts. Overall, three meetings will be held; three for citizens living in the Wildland Urban Interface, and two will be held for those living in the Prairie Urban Interface. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Woodmen Valley Chapel, located at 290 E. Woodmen Road. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fountain Fire hosts town hall to discuss mitigation
(FOUNTAIN, Colo.) — The Fountain Fire Department (FFD) hosted a town hall on Thursday evening, May 8, to discuss the City's wildland mitigation efforts. According to FFD, the goal of the town hall was to educate and foster discussion around wildland fire safety and mitigation strategies, especially within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)—areas where development meets natural vegetation and fire risk is elevated. Attendees heard from representatives of FFD, the Fountain Police Department, Fountain Utilities, the Fountain Parks Department, and the Office of the City Manager. The department detailed a mitigation project it completed last month in Hibbard Park–a spot City Parks believes has a high wildfire risk. Crews thinned out brush and grass which could help spread a wildland fire. The City has also identified seven to eight open spaces FFD wants to address immediately with mitigation. FFD stressed that the community is pivotal to the department's responses to fire events. 'On those high fire danger days, those high fire risk days, if you see something, say something,' said Division Chief Jared Cass. 'If you see smoke, call 911. Don't assume somebody else has already called, because maybe nobody has. And the sooner we get notified about those, the quicker we can put them out, the smaller they stay, the less damage to the environment and our community.' FPD reminds the community that the best way to stay connected to first responders and be alerted if ever there is a wildland emergency is to sign up for community notifications at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
MSFD launches wildfire mitigation grant program
(MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo.) — The Manitou Springs Fire Department (MSFD) launched a new grant program to help homeowners remove hazardous vegetation and reduce wildfire risk around their homes. The Resident Wildfire Mitigation Grant Match Program will provide homeowners with up to $500 in matching funds for mitigation around their homes. The program is designed to support those living in the Wildland Urban Interface by promoting the creation of defensible space within 30 feet of structures. The funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to one application per household per 12-month grant cycle. The program focuses on removing hazardous vegetation such as dead trees, flammable shrubs, and conifers with high resin content. MSFD said mitigation work must adhere to fire department guidelines and be approved in advance. Homeowners must follow a structured application and agreement process to qualify: Select a licensed and insured tree company. Contractors must carry general liability insurance of at least $1 million and workers' compensation coverage of at least $100,000. Schedule a pre-work walkthrough with the chosen contractor and an MSFD representative. Sign a stewardship agreement outlining the roles and responsibilities of the resident and the City of Manitou Springs. Sign the official MSFD Wildfire Mitigation Cost-Share Agreement, detailing the scope of work. After work is completed, the tree company will invoice both the homeowner and MSFD separately based on the agreed match amount. Homeowners will not be reimbursed if they pay the full amount up front. Homeowners can also schedule a free Wildfire Mitigation Site Assessment with the Fire Department to help evaluate their property and determine mitigation needs. Funding for the grant program is partially funded by a generous donation of $12,000 from the Manitou Springs Community Foundation. 'Mitigation is one of the most effective tools in protecting lives and property from wildfires,' said Michael Willie, Lieutenant and Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator for MSFD. 'This program empowers residents to take meaningful action before the fire season intensifies.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
