May is Wildfire Awareness month, up here in Gilpin and South Boulder Counties. I am hoping for several feet of snow so we can push off the fire season just a little longer. The reality is wildfire season is year round, but those heavy spring snows bring some relief followed by the green up of the grasses before things start to dry out.

Each year between January and April all your firefighters must complete what’s called an RT130 and a pack test. The RT130 is the annual wildfire refresher course that includes firefighter safety and survival and emergency fire shelter deployment. The pack test is a 3-mile hike with a 45lb pack that must be completed in 45 minutes. Some of your firefighters are certified to run a chainsaw on wildfires; these individuals must also attend an annual refresher for that certification.

Each year we also offer a 130/190 class which is the certification class for new wildland firefighters. This offering is designed to certify your new volunteers that have joined throughout the year. All these classes are open to the surrounding agencies as well.

Along with our annual training and recertifications Timberline is anxiously awaiting the delivery of our two new wildland (brush) trucks. These were ordered in the fall of last year and we expect delivery late this year although the microchip shortage and other supply chain issues could delay their delivery. One of these trucks was purchased to replace a 21-year-old bush truck and the other is to free up an older truck for mutual aid and out of district fire deployment.

Not only does Timberline respond to all 911 calls within our district, we have a wildfire deployment program. This gives your firefighters the opportunity to travel anywhere in the country to fight fire. This opportunity serves many purposes but number one is gaining valuable experience so your fire fighters are better prepared to respond in our district. Large wildfires are a team sport and no fire department can handle them alone; participation in these deployments also help build relationships that will be invaluable when we need assistance in Gilpin or South Boulder. Rest assured before equipment or personnel are allowed to assist with fires outside our district we carefully analyze our available resources. Protecting your community is our first priority.

We are excited to announce that Timberline is now offering mitigation services. Mitigation assessments and cost estimates are free to Timberline Fire District residents. During this process Timberline will come assess your property and discuss your mitigation needs. If the property owner is interested, Timberline can also provide a cost estimate to complete some or all your mitigation needs. Depending on the response to this program there may be a limited number available. If interested please call our mitigation number at 720-398-1972 or our district office at 303-582-5768 and leave a message on extension #4.

Along with this new program we continue to work with our partners to spearhead larger scale mitigation and chipping projects. Last year we did this in Dory Lakes and we are currently working on a similar project in Missouri Lakes 1. We are scheduled to begin removing dead and hazard trees along the first half mile of Golden Gate Canyon Road from Highway 119 to Dory Hill Road the week of June 6. We have also submitted a grant for a community chipping project near Rollinsville.

On April 22 Timberline responded to a small wildfire in the Porter Ranch neighborhood. This early season fire was quickly extinguished at a quarter acre. This fire as well as our early Stage one fire ban should be a reminder that while things are turning green our fuels are dry due to the extended drought and lower snowfall this winter. Unfortunately, we are expecting a long difficult wildfire season this summer so please be careful, mitigate, and be prepared if asked to evacuate.