As development and recreation increase in Boulder County, human behavior takes on an increasing role in wildfire ignition. Humans cause 90 percent of wildfires in Boulder County – by accident, carelessness, and purposeful intent.

In 2014, Wildfire Partners was established as a program to educate, motivate, and support residents in preparing for wildfires. Their goal is to unite the community in efforts toward sustainability and climate resistance.

The highest national honor an organization can receive for outstanding work in wildfire mitigation is the Wildfire Mitigation Award, which was recently awarded to Wildfire Partners out of the nearly 4,000 households participating in the program. The Wildfire Mitigation Award is sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the USDA Forest Service. These associations prioritize the recognition of commitment to fire safety around the country.

Michael Steinberg, director of the NFPA wildfire division, referred to Wildfire Partners in stating “Their tremendous efforts, which are most deserving of this year’s honor, serve as roadmaps for exemplary wildfire mitigation that I sincerely hope other communities will follow.”

Wildfire Partners will be recognized at the Wildland-Urban Interface Conference in Reno, Nevada, on March 27, 2024.

Visit https://wildfirepartners.org/ to learn what you can do to assist in wildfire safety.