RedZone Wildfire Preparedness Initiative

The Wildfire Preparedness Initiative is a broad-based partnership designed to enhance the effectiveness of fire fighters responding to wildland fire incidents and to increase the safety of homes located in the wildland urban interface (WUI). This initiative will be conducted in La Plata County in 2007 and 2008.

Project Goals

The goal of this initiative is to provide detailed field information to wildfire fighters in La Plata County by doing comprehensive fire risk surveys of the estimated 8,000 homes (or values) at risk of wildfire in the region. A detailed geographical infomation systems (GIS)-based analysis of the region will determine risk zones. Surveyors commissioned by local fire protection districts (FPD) will conduct surveys of homes deemed at risk for wildfire damage. The data (which will evaluate access, home fire risk, water sources, etc.) will be entered into a state-of-the-art GIS-based software for firefighters called RedZone (see screenshot left). Firefighters will be trained to utilize this information in the field to make rapid and strategic firefighting decisions based on a detailed database of information stored in field computers running the RedZone software.

Project components include:

• Establishing high risk zones through the use of GIS analysis
• Conducting surveys on the estimated 8,000 properties in these zones
• Inputting the data into a database
• Providing this data via customized firefighter software called RedZone on field laptops
• Training firefighters in the use of the laptops and data collection
• Conducting a series of community meetings once surveys are completed as a way to convey results to property owners and provide continued education in Firewise techniques.

Partners

This intitiave has a broad base of local support. All of the primary FPDs in both counties have been instrumental in the planning process. Partners include:

• Durango Fire & Rescue
• Upper Pine FPD
• Los Pinos FPD
• Fort Lewis Mesa FPD
• Fort Lewis College, Office of Community Services
• San Juan Public Lands Center
• La Plata County (fiscal agent for La Plata County)
• Southwest Conservation Corps
• Firewise Council of Southwest Colorado & Firewise Ambassadors

Funding

The total project cost is $178,000, funded 50% by Energy/Mineral Impact funds administered through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and 50% local funds.