Forest Service: Over Half Of Boulder County At Risk For Wildfires

BOULDER, CO -- A new wildfire risk assessment released Monday by the Colorado State Forest Service shows that roughly half of Colorado's population is at risk from wildfires – an increase of 50 percent since 2012. In Boulder County, more than 60 percent of residents are vulnerable, according to the updated data. The findings are based on factors such as new housing, population, vegetative fuels and weather.

A revamp of the Colorado Wildlife Risk Assessment Portal now allows citizens, in addition to community leaders and professional planners, access to online mapping tools that can allow them to evaluate risk and identify possible forest management strategies. According to the Forest Service, the revisions focus not only on the probability and potential intensity of wildfire, but also identify concerns such as homes, drinking water supplies and forest assets that could be at risk from the negative effects of fire.

“CO-WRAP offers a consistent dataset across Colorado to use for hazard mitigation planning,” said Kristin Garrison, CSFS fire, fuels and watersheds manager in a press release from the state Forest Service. “Whether you are focusing on the community level or watershed level, it provides baseline data for planning efforts.”

The Colorado State Forest Service provides tips on keeping your home, family, and community safe from wildfire on their website.

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Photo credit: Renee Schiavone/Patch