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| Here is important information about the FIRE SAFE program The Gateway-Unaweep Fire Department is encouraging our community to get involved in the "Fire Wise" program. This program is aimed at making homes and farms defensible during a wildfire situation. If you drive past 29001 Hwy. 141 you will see a sign posted at the gate. It looks like the image on the right: It was awarded to that home as it meets all the requirements set by the Colorado State Forest Service and BLM in order to be a Fire Wise home, such as: |
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- Growth has been cut back and away from the home
- The home has a fire resistant deck and roof
- The access route is easy in/easy out and is clear of flammable growth
- There are no overhanging trees that can catch on fire
- Fire wood is not stacked near the home
If you would like a sign like this to post at your driveway, first visit : http://lamar.colostate.edu/~firewise/ ...on the Internet and read about the program (or contact G-UFD...we can get you a brochure). Also, take a good look at the 29001 Hwy. 141 residence for a fine example of a Fire Wise property. Then, once you have cleared and otherwise conformed to the information you find there, call the G-UFD and they will gladly make an inspection to see if you are eligible. If you have met the requirements, you get a sign. If you are have not, you don't get one. If you think you should get one and G-UFD thinks you should not, then the BLM or the Colorado State Forest Service will drop by, make an inspection and break the tie. We don't want to turn this into an argument...the bottom line here is safety and we want to make sure EVERYONE makes it though a wildfire alive.
Please note that G-UFD has recently toured the entire distance of our section of Rt. 141 accompanied by the BLM and Colorado State Forest Service, with a critical eye towards wildfire dangers. The upper Unaweep area (from Moore's Mining through almost Cactus Park) is one of the most volatile populated areas in our community. This is particularly evident with the vegetation growth along the north side of the highway between MP 130 and MP 138. The pinion stands in these areas are very thick and overgrown. Residents in this area are encouraged to cut back and trim as much as they can.
December through April is a good time to start as this is a HUGE, physical project and the weather is cool. This could, in fact, take some land owners years to complete. But, every journey begins with a single step.
Remember too: if you DON'T become proactive in this type of program, a wildfire will probably leave your property looking like a moonscape. If you DO become proactive, some of your views may look a little barren but your home has a better chance of wildfire survival AND, when the fire is gone, you will likely still have green trees to look at (instead of black stumps).
NOTE: If you choose to burn the cut boughs and cut trees from this thinning project, do so on a day that is wet with snow, calm from wind and in an area that is hundreds of feet from other fuels (trees, sage, etc). Keep the fire small and controllable. Remember Unaweep Residents and Cactus Park: in the winter, G-UFD does NOT keep a fire truck in the neighborhood. We don't have a heated building to store water trucks "up there". The closest fire truck to you during the freezing months is in Gateway (in the summer a truck is parked near MP 136 at a volunteer's house). Don't take chances with fire even in the winter!!! It would be a shame if you burned down the Unaweep in an attempt to not burn down the Unaweep. Hmmm.
Visit this link: FireWise INFORMATION Where you will find a HOST of information about maintaining a defesable space around your home to help protect against wildfire.
Visit this link: DITCH BURNING ...to read our last informative SAFETY page.
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