Salida District

Fire is a natural process that provides ecological benefits. Hazards to life and property exist when a fire occurs and where conditions are conducive for the fire to grow. Efforts to suppress fires are intended to reduce these threats to life and property. The effect of fire on your property is partially determined by what you have done to effect fire's behavior and by what your neighbors have done.

Wildfire Mitigation

2010 Emergency Supplemental Fund Program

Web Resources

Although we all like to think the fire will be somewhere other than on our own property, fire is a part of forest ecology. It's not a matter of if it will happen, but when it happens.

Salida District personnel can give you suggestions and tips to make your forest more resilient to fire and to keep your home safe. Working alone, you can significantly increase the chances of your home surviving a wildfire. If you work with your neighbors and community you can significantly increase the chances of returning to green trees.

In addition to a property assessment, we are available to mark trees for removal and provide names of potential tree removal contractors to work with.

At the Salida District office we have a variety of educational materials explaining "defensible space" and how to apply it to your property. Creating defensible space may mean moving firewood away from the house and trees, sweeping debris from the roof, keeping the ground cover next to the house well-watered or removing trees. Both potential ground fuels and aerial fuels need to be addressed.

You also may want to view our Defensible Space page.

2010 Emergency Supplemental Fund Program

The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) recently received funding from the USDA Forest Service and is offering these funds as grants for forest and fuels management projects on non-federal lands. The purpose of the Emergency Supplemental Fund (ESF) Program is to accomplish on-the-ground projects that result in acres treated. Although ESF grants are not intended for individually owned small acreages or subdivision lots, larger projects involving collaborative efforts between landowners, such as through Homeowner Associations, may qualify for the grants.

To learn about program details and determine if you are eligible, please read the following:

Those with eligible projects must complete and submit the following ESF Grant Program Application Form to the CSFS Salida District.

A completed and signed A-ES Form also must be submitted to the district when applying for the grant:

Applications will be reviewed, rated and then forwarded to the CSFS ESF Program administrator for funding approval or disapproval. Grant applications will be processed on a first come/first served basis and will be available until funds are depleted or the program is terminated.

Documentation required from awardees during the project period:

Web Resources