The devastating Black Forest Fire that ignited on June 11, 2013, killed two people, destroyed 489 homes and charred 14,280 acres of land. Evacuations covered 94,000 acres (147 square miles), 13,000 homes and affected 38,000 people, according to the Black Forest Fire After Action Report issued by the El Paso County Sheriffís Office in May 2014.It was the second major wildfire in El Paso County in just two years and remains the most destructive fire in Colorado history in terms of the number of homes lost. Firefighters and residents of the Falcon Fire Protection District have their own recollections of the Black Forest fire since 14 of the homes lost were within FFPDís jurisdiction.The Black Forest community continues to rebuild, but it will never be quite the same. Homes once surrounded by trees now have mountain views, having been rebuilt on lots cleared of burned timber. In other areas, blackened trees still stand five years later. Flood warnings are issued for the burn scar when heavy rains are expected because the scorched ground cannot absorb the moisture.And then there are the effects on people. Those who were here during the fire vividly recall the emotions they felt as they evacuated and watched their beloved forest burn along with neighborsí homes. Residents still make comments to Falcon firefighters about the edginess they feel any time a plume of smoke appears in the forested areas. Recently, a structure fire in the northern part of the fire district ignited nearby grass and trees on a dry, breezy day. Neighbors and passersby jumped into action, bringing their own shovels and water buckets to keep the flames in check until firefighters arrived. Many of them said they did so because they look out for one another, but they were also trying to prevent another destructive fire.Here are some things that have happened in the Falcon Fire Protection District since the Black Forest Fire.RebuildingMost of the 14 homes that burned within Falcon fire district boundaries have been rebuilt as determined by a visual survey and review of property records conducted by FFPD. Many rebuilds incorporated fire resistant materials, including Class A roofing and stucco siding, although such materials were not required under provisions of the 2009 International Fire Code adopted by El Paso County.FFPD Community Wildfire Protection PlanFFPDís Community Wildfire Protection Plan was approved in 2016. The CWPP is intended to be a guide for improving mitigation and wildfire preparedness in the community. Additionally, some mitigation grants require applicants to have a CWPP to be eligible for those grants. The CWPP is available on the FFPD website (http://falconfirepd.org).The CWPP emphasizes the importance of wildfire mitigation, both to minimize losses in future wildfires and to improve forest health. Keith Worley, a forester and wildfire mitigation specialist hired to develop the CWPP, stated in the document, ìIt takes a community that is resolved to work together to manage this risk. Responsibility begins with every property owner, supported by community wide mitigation efforts.îFirewiseIn 2014, two FFPD neighborhoods (Goshawk and Spirit Lakes) received their designations as Firewise USAÆ communities. The Firewise program teaches people how to adapt to living with wildfire, and encourages neighbors to work together on wildfire mitigation projects to prevent future losses. Some insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners in Firewise communities.To learn more about Firewise, check out the website at https://nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USAMitigation effortsThe Black Forest Fire ignited on a red flag warning day when temperatures were in the 90s, relative humidity was down to single digits and natural fuels were dry. Gusty winds helped create a fast-moving firestorm that even the best mitigation efforts could not stop. Even so, firefighters observed that mitigated properties fared better against ground fires and were easier to defend than those that lacked mitigation.In areas where trees and brush had been allowed to grow unchecked for years, the thick vegetation contributed to the ignition of spot fires and rapid fire spread. Conversely, open spaces such as the power line easement that runs roughly parallel to Meridian Road acted as firebreaks, slowing the fireís progress in the absence of trees and brush to fuel it. Firefighting vehicles were able to safely access properties where owners trimmed overhanging tree branches from driveways.Firefighters could better protect homes that did not have vegetation growing close to the structure. Mitigated properties also served as safety zones if firefighters needed them.After the fire, owners of unburned properties (and their insurance companies) took a renewed interest in wildfire mitigation efforts. However, there is still much to be done. A drive through the forested areas of Falconís fire district shows that some property owners have not done any mitigation work. One lot will display obvious fuel reduction efforts while an adjacent lot remains overgrown. For mitigation to be effective, all residents need to participate in the effort.Falcon firefighters say one of the barriers to mitigation is a mistaken belief that properties must be cleared of all trees or vegetation. That is not the case, and they welcome the opportunity to teach residents about what constitutes effective mitigation. FFPD offers free property mitigation assessments for district residents that include recommendations (not mandates) for reducing natural fuels and wildfire risk. Call 719-495-4050 to schedule an appointment.A mitigation checklist and other resources are also available on the FFPD website; just click the Wildfire Mitigation button.
