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Summit County Forest Health and Wildfire Mitigation
For educational presentations on forest health and wildfire preparedness, contact Dan Schroder at (970) 668-4140 or dan.schroder@colostate.edu.
Summit County Fire Restrictions
The Office of Emergency Management provides information on current fire restrictions in Summit County.
Wildfire Mitigation Efforts StoryMap
We've put together an interactive presentation in "Story Map" format to present information on our mitigation efforts. You can scroll the presentation above or Click here to view it in full in a new browser window.
Defensible Space
Defensible space is an area around a home or other structure where vegetation has been cleared or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire. Defensible space also creates a safe zone for firefighters to work, and it reduces the chance that a structure fire will move to the surrounding forest or other homes. Learn more about defensible space.
Summit County Wildfire Council
The Summit County Wildfire Council works to mitigate wildfire risk in Summit County, through implementation of the Summit County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (pdf). The council includes representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado State Forest Service, local fire protection districts, towns, river basins, and Summit County government. Learn more about the Summit County Wildfire Council.
Community Wildfire Protection Grants
The Summit County Wildfire Council provides matching grants to eligible homeowner groups to conduct hazardous fuels reduction and other projects to protect their properties from wildfire. These funds are available through a Summit County mill levy approved by voters in 2008. Learn more about Summit County’s community wildfire mitigation grants.
Summit County Forestry Contractors (pdf)
Chipping Program
Summit County government and Summit County Wildfire Council are helping residents and property owners create defensible space by providing free chipping and disposal of branches, logs and small trees. If you clear woody vegetation from around your home and stack it in a slash pile, we'll chip it and haul it away for free. Learn more about the Summit County Chipping Program.
Summit County Forest Health Highlights
On March 21, 2019, forest entomologist Dr. Dan West gave a presentation on forest disturbance in Summit County. View presentation (pdf).
Colorado State Forest Service has an interactive tool to help you view forest conditions in your area. View the 2020 Forest Health Report Story Map.
Colorado State Forest Service - Common Forest Insects & Diseases
Related Links and Resources
- Living With the Threat of Wildfire (pdf) - Protect your home and community from wildfire.
- Colorado State Forest Service - 2022 Report on the Health of Colorado's Forests
- Ready, Set, Go! - A wildfire education initiative of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
- Firewise Communities - A program to encourage homeowner action to prepare for wildfire.
- Fire Adapted Communities - Offers information and specific actions you can take to reduce your wildfire risk, whether you're a resident, business owner or community leader.
- Summit County Office of Emergency Management - Find checklists and other resources that can help you prepare yourself and your family for wildfire.
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Colorado State University Extension is an equal opportunity provider. | Colorado State University Extension es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. | Colorado State University no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad y se compromete a proporcionar adaptaciones razonables.
CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension ensures meaningful access and equal opportunities to participate to individuals whose first language is not English. | Office of Engagement and Extension de CSU garantiza acceso significativo e igualdad de oportunidades para participar a las personas quienes su primer idioma no es el inglés.
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