Special to The PREVIEW
May is Wildfire Prevention Month in southwest Colorado, and with good reason. Just consider the thousands of acres we’ve seen burn in the last couple of years.
While wildfires are a natural part of the forest cycle, we need to make sure we stay safe. We have been lucky when we look at fires like Little Sand in 2012 and the West Fork Complex last year.
As a community, we can do our part by staying aware of current conditions, fire bans and being fire safe. By following simple tips, we can drastically reduce our risk of wildfires. Fire mitigation means creating a defensible space around your home and is another way we can prepare ourselves and our homes for the fire season.
On Saturday, May 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., several agencies and businesses will participate in a Fire Safety Fair in the parking lot in front of Alco. The entire community is invited and there will be something for the whole family. There will be games for the kids with prizes, while parents can seek out the various agencies for useful information.
The Forest Service will bring Smokey the Bear, along with some equipment and information on current conditions. Its fire technician will share a wealth of helpful tips on how to keep you and your home safe, along with protecting our beautiful environment.
The fire department will bring its fire engine and brush truck, which will be open for tours. They also have fire mitigation information and can answer questions on how to increase your home’s fire adaptability.
GOAL Academy will serve a free hot dog lunch with drinks and chips and the students will be running the games for the kids. If the weather is hot and sunny, some of these games will include water, so dress accordingly.
Other activities will include learning how to build mound fires, how to handle a chainsaw safely, which vegetation will decrease your home’s fire danger and much more.
So, mark your calendars for May 24. Grab your kids, their play-clothes, your camera and appetite, and join us for a day which will be fun and educational for all.
If anyone would like to set up a booth and participate, please contact Marie at 426-9264 as soon as possible.
