Two bills have been introduced in the Colorado state Senate that could affect fire prevention and the management of prescribed fires. The bills were inspired by recommendations made by the Lower North Fork Wildfire Commission.
SB 13-082, Wildfire Matters Review Committee, establishes a permanent interim committee to study wildfire prevention and mitigation policy. The committee will work with the Department of Public Safety and the State Forest Service, and will be comprised of ten legislators.
SB 13-083, Prescribed Burn Program, requires the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to establish a prescribed burn program. The program must have specific rules and standards, and there must be policy to address an escaped prescribed burn. The rules will specify that a state certified burn manager, or a nationally qualified burn boss, manage any prescribed burn.
Colorado Senator Mark Udall met with a dozen fire chiefs in Frisco, Colorado (map) on Sunday. Following the 2012 wildfire season which was the busiest in recent memory the group had a lot to talk about on the subjects of preparedness, fire prevention, and the availability of aviation resources. Senator Udall has been vocal in pressuring the U.S. Forest Service to increase and modernize the federal air tanker fleet, which has been cut to 9, down from the 44 that were on exclusive use contracts in 2012.
The U.S. Forest Service began the process of contracting for “next generation air tankers” November 30, 2011, and 15 months later still has not completed the process. No large air tankers, next generation or 50-year-old legacy aircraft, are on federal contract right now, in spite of the fact that they usually begin coming on duty in the Southwest in mid-February.
The video below summarizes the meeting with the fire chiefs and includes some highlights of the 2012 fire season in Colorado.
Alex J. Averette appeared in court Friday after admitting to investigators that he used a lighter to start what became the 600-acre County Road 102 Fire on June 24, 2012 near Elbert, Colorado (map). The 19-year-old, 6-foot-6-inch volunteer firefighter with the Elbert Fire Protection District was the first to report the fire and the first person on scene. He said he lit the fire “for the experience”, according to Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap.
More than 100 firefighters from many jurisdictions helped suppress the fire. Resources were scarce at that time due to the Waldo Canyon Fire which started the day before and on June 26 burned into the city of Colorado Springs destroying 346 homes.
Mr. Averette was unable to come up with the $50,000 bond and remains in custody. The court denied a request for him to be released on his own recognizance. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 8.
In a statement on the Elbert Fire Protection District’s web site, Chief John Gresham addressed the news of the firefighter’s arrest. Here is an excerpt:
As Fire Chief of the Elbert Fire Protection District, on behalf of all volunteers of the Fire Department and citizens of the District, I would like to commend Sheriff Shayne Heap and the Sheriff’s Department Investigations Unit for their thorough and professional efforts in determining that last summer’s County Road 102 fire was intentionally set and then identifying and apprehending the suspected arsonist, who was a volunteer member of the Elbert Fire Department.
I speak for all officers and volunteers of the Elbert Fire Department, as well as members of the Elbert community, in stating we were shocked and saddened to learn the alleged arsonist was one of our own. Of course, that individual has been placed on indefinite suspension from all Departmental activities, pending outcome of the legal proceedings.
While such an unfortunate act on the part of a misguided individual may occur, such an act is an extreme exception, in contrast to the commitment to public service exhibited by the dedication, goodwill and hard work conducted by the vast majority of our volunteer members. Although this turn of events is discouraging, the Elbert Fire Department and each of its officers and volunteers remains committed to contributing to the welfare of our community as well-trained public safety volunteers. We continue to seek those individuals willing to offer their services to the community and provide those persons with training and guidance for the benefit of public safety in the Town of Elbert and the surrounding areas.
Ann Appel, killed in her home during the Lower North Fork Fire. Photo courtesy of the Appel family.
On March 26, 2012 the Lower North Fork Prescribed Fire escaped and began roaring across the landscape southwest of Denver. Jefferson County utilized their reverse 911 system configured to make automated phone calls to a designated area, expecting that the residents would be notified to evacuate. Ann Appel, 51, along with 94 other residents, did not receive the call due to a glitch in the system.
Her remains were later found in the ashes of her home.
Two other people, Sam and Linda Lucas, were also killed but it is believed they received the evacuation phone call.
The notification system that failed was supplied by Louisiana-based FirstCall. Jefferson County Emergency Communications Authority has replaced it with the CodeRed service operated by Florida-based Emergency Communications Network.
They have already used the CodeRed system on two actual emergencies recently, but planned to conduct a more extensive test Wednesday, hoping to contact an estimated 330,000 to 360,000 phones.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed three executive orders last week related to wildland fire.
One executive order creates the Wildland and Prescribed Fire Advisory Committee. The Committee will advise the Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control on all matters pertaining to wildfire preparedness, response, suppression, coordination, or management and prescribed fire.
A second one partially lifts the ban on prescribed fires, which was implemented after the disastrous Lower North Fork prescribed fire southwest of Denver that escaped on March 26, 2012, burned 4,140 acres, and killed three local residents at their homes. The executive order only mentions that pile burning will be allowed, and does not specifically allow large-scale broadcast burning.
A third executive order establishes the Task Force on Wildfire Insurance and Forest Health which will examine how to best protect property and people within and adjacent to the wildland-urban interface.
The task force will review issues regarding insurance coverage at the 2012 fires including replacement costs for destroyed homes, relocation assistance, accounting for lost personal property and the timing of insurance benefits. It will explore how to provide better understanding of insurance coverage for policyholders. Also, it will explore insurance policies that promote forest health, reduce wildland fire threats and help incourage wise planning and stewardship while reducing the loss of life and property.
President Barack Obama views fire damage with firefighters and elected officials at the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 29, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza; click to enlarge)
When we posted the article about President Obama visiting the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs July 29, 2012, we searched for photos of the President meeting with wildland firefighters, but only found pictures of him with structural firefighters… until today when we ran across the photo above.
The fire burned 18,247 acres and destroyed 346 homes.
