Wildfi re prevention and safety

Firefighters use multiple resources to extinguish wildland fires in Colorado.

Photo from foothillsfire.colorado.gov

By Amber McIver-Traywick

The Surveyor

There is an increased chance of wildfires this year in Colorado and, along the lines of Smokey Bear’s iconic phrase, everyone can play a part in preventing these potentially devastating fires.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center’s predictive services, overall, drought continues across nearly 90% of the West and much of the Plains meaning things are very dry — perfect fire conditions. The good news is there are several things we can do to help mitigate the risk of starting a fire and if one does happen be prepared to stay safe.

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit and local fire departments/districts monitor potential wildfire conditions throughout the year. The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners will impose fire restrictions when necessary based on the recommendations of the Sheriff’s Office and/or any fire chief or fire agency within Larimer County. Those restrictions are made public through social media and on the Larimer County website.

Although many fires are ignited by lightning and other natural causes, fires started by people are also increasingly common. Regardless of the current conditions, residents and visitors to Larimer County are encouraged to exercise caution with any potential source of ignition. Here are some of the most common sources:

Campfires — only build campfires when and where authorized, do not leave them unattended and put them out completely. Not halfway, not almost, but completely. Use ample water and stir until the coals are cool to the touch. It takes a little extra time but could be costly to skip.

Cigarette and cigar butts — dispose of lit smoking materials properly.

Heat transfer from exhaust systems — do not park a vehicle in areas with tall grass that could catch fire.

Grinding and welding — keep a shovel and fire extinguisher close and ready to use as these activities can start fires.

Lawnmowers — metal blades striking rocks can create sparks and start fires. A large fire in Loveland started from a woman mowing her lawn. Be careful and having a water hose on the ready is a good idea.

Fireworks — Any fireworks that leave the ground or explode are illegal in Colorado. Legal fireworks include the following: fountains, toy caps, snake or glow worms, ground spinners, illuminating torches, dipped sticks and sparklers, toy propellants and noise-makers that crackle or whistle but don’t explode.

If you see smoke report it immediately by calling the LCSO non-emergency number 970-416-1985.

Provide emergency dispatchers with the best location of the source of the smoke, where you are, the color of the smoke, and any characteristics of the smoke you can describe.

In the event of an active wildfire, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office may issue evacuation notices for your safety. They do that through a service called NOCOAlert. If you have a landline, you will receive emergency alerts on that phone. If you do not have a landline or wish to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone, visit www. nocoalert.org to register for free. LCSO issues two types of evacuation notices:

Evacuations are advised for residents and businesses if they are concerned for their safety, feel they need

additional time to exit the area or have health conditions that may be aggravated by smoke. You are encouraged to move livestock and pets out of the area and prepare for mandatory evacuations. You may also be asked to report to a specific location to notify officials of your choice to evacuate.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered to residents and businesses due to immediate and imminent danger. Evacuate the area immediately and as quickly as possible. Do not delay leaving to gather belongings or make efforts to protect your home or business. Evacuating immediately not only supports your safety but also allows emergency crews better access to the area. You may also be asked to report to a specific location to notify officials that you have evacuated the area.

If the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office has command of an active fire, the LCSO Public Information Office is the most accurate source of information. Most updates will be posted to Twitter as the information becomes available. LCSO also utilizes Facebook and Nextdoor to post less frequent, but more comprehensive reports about active fires.

Another site with information on wildfires can be found through the federal government at inciweb.nwcg.gov. Here you can access the most recent information about the containment, size, and the outlook for a fire.

To view active fire restrictions in other counties in Colorado visit dfpc.colorado.gov/firerestriction.

A byproduct of living in a region prone to wildfires is that although there might not be an active fire near you, smoke from other fires can travel hundreds of miles and cause air quality to decline. This can particularly be an issue for those with lung disease or other sensitivities. Keeping an eye on the AQI is a good idea to make sure outdoor activities are safe for all ages. Additionally, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council’s Summer 2022 Ozone Action Day Alert Program begins June 1. Air Quality Action Days or advisories for ozone for other pollutants help guide residents on actions to take to help improve air quality. The alerts are posted at https://www. colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx.