NEDERLAND - Wildfire awareness is always important, but it’s vital for mountain residents living within the beautiful Wildland-Urban Interface of Rocky Mountain forests. One of the best times to learn about wildfire safety is during Wildfire Awareness Month.

By May, winter has given way to spring weather, bringing drier and warmer conditions, motivating local fire protection districts to keep their communities safe, including classes and training for qualified individuals.

The Nederland Fire Protection District’s annual wildland refresher class (RT130), required to renew federal certifications, occurred in late April. NedFire and neighboring firefighters gathered to “review important topics, lessons learned, and get folks in the mindset for wildfire response,” stated Eric Peter Abramson, Public Information Officer for the Nederland Fire Protection District.

Abramson also told The Mountain-Ear, “At Nedfire, this quarter's core competencies checkoff included an initial attack wildland scenario, refining our team skills and effective response. Other in-house NedFire activities included gear and equipment checks, sandbox scenarios, annual pack fitness testing, and development and use of a Command Job Aid and new map books.”

Several of the fire department members taught a countywide Engine Operator Academy, with three NedFire members attending. The five-day course is designed to improve and enhance more experienced members’ knowledge and operations utilizing wildland fire trucks in various tasks on large and small fires.

Nederland firefighters also participate in Advanced Air Ops, Portable Pumps, Chain Saw Operations, Fireline Leadership, and Helicopter Crew Operations. According to Abramson, most of NedFire’s new recruits will be attending the course in Basic Wildland Firefighting (S130/190) in May, starting their training path in the national system.

In the last weeks, several NedFire members have surveyed and tested water cisterns, which are tested annually, growing the number tested from six to 30.

Construction of a new Type 6 Brush Truck is almost complete at NedFire. The in-house project will improve response capabilities with a much-needed vehicle replacing an older vehicle.

Abramson says, “The new '5633' will also have the capability to dispatch out of district, providing opportunities to gain experience elsewhere and aid other communities in need.”

An expanded wildfire section will be added to NedFire’s website in May. Several messages on wildfire preparedness, home hardening, and notification signup posts will appear on their Facebook page over the next month.

Together with the Timberline Fire Protection District, NedFire is building a cooperative agreement to expand their wildfire programs. This will include a shared mitigation crew, improved cross-training, and working together to staff engines on dispatch.

A Wildfire Partners event is upcoming. NedFire also intends to participate in a Sort Yard event and are organizing final details before making an announcement. Stay tuned for details!

The Nederland Fire Protection District is located at 650 W 4th Street, Nederland. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NFPD.org/ or call them at 303-258-9161.

Sort yard opened April 30, 2025. For 2025, the Yard will be open from April 30 – November 15, Wednesday – Saturday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Sort Yard will be closed on June 19 and July 4.