• Articles,  Fire Mitigation Events,  Mitigation

    Saws & Slaws October News

    Saws and Slaws has been busy in August and September with legacy events. Much tree thinning and slash removal was accomplished at both events. At the August event, we worked in the Copperdale neighborhood on two neighboring properties. The properties had been marked by Boulder’s Wildfire Partners which makes it easy for us to target the trees we need to remove for effective mitigation. At the September event, we completed our last mitigation event for the summer 2021 season, and it went great! We were able to mitigate around 1.5 acres and remove roughly 80 cubic yards of slash at a property in the Lyttle Dowdle neighborhood. Thanks to all…

  • First Event of the Season 2021
    Articles

    Saws and Slaws June News

    June Saws & Slaws News by Heather Hanson / Linda Martin  June? already? The weather is great for getting down to business with the defensible space around your home. Defensible space can suggest alternate paths for a fire to follow away from your house. Any action is worthwhile for the health of your space. Many studies observe that homes with effective defensible space are more likely to survive a wildfire. 60 feet of defensible space combined with a non-flammable roof, your chances can be as great as 86%. *(Surviving Wildfire, Linda Masterson) Homes surrounded by pine and conifer ideally require 100 feet. This is known as zone 2. In zone 1…

  • Mitigation

    Wildfire Forecast and Preparation in the Peak to Peak Region Webinar

    Watch the first webinar of our summer series! Learn more about drought and wildfire forecasts and wildfire preparations, local fuel models, and why home ignition zone and defensible space mitigation are essential to protect your home and neighborhood in the Peak-to-Peak Region. It is hosted by the Gilpin County CSU extension, Timberline Fire Protection District, Saws and Slaws, and the Boulder Watershed Collective. https://sawsandslaws.org/event/drought-and-wildfire-prep-in-the-peak-to-peak-region/ https://www.boulderwatershedcollective.com/

  • Articles,  Mitigation

    February Saws & Slaws News

    Get Ready Now, So You Know What To Do Later With an unprecedented wildfire season behind us, many of us might be reflecting on how to better prepare ourselves for the next one. One simple thing we can do to eliminate stress and confusion is to compile an Evacuation Checklist before an emergency event. Mobilization is key when every minute counts. When you already have steps in place, you don’t have to think about what to do, you can just check your boxes. Prior to any threat of an evacuation, you’ll want to gather and assemble, an emergency essentials grab and go kit. This kit should contain essentials like first…

  • Articles,  Mitigation

    2020 Totals for Wildfire

    What a year for fire danger in the Urban Wildland Interface! In Colorado we had ten wildfire incidents of note. 2020 saw three record breaking fires in Colorado with over 620,000 acres (1000 square miles) burned overall. Starting on the last day of July, the dry, arid summer ushered in 2020’s wildfire season. In order of size, the incidents are as follows: 8/23 Thorpe Fire 159 acres 10/18 Lefthand Canyon Fire 460 acres 10/19 Ice Fire 596 acres 10/17 Calwood Fire 10106 acres 8/14 Williams Fork Fire 14833 acres 10/06 Middle Fork Fire 20517 acres 8/10 Grizzly Creek Fire 32631 acres 7/31 Pine Gulch Fire 139007 acres 10/14 East Troublesome…

  • Mitigation

    Socially Chipping

    Great Curbside Chipping event on Shimley Rd today!! Big thanks to Bob Brewster for getting his neighbors involved and working hard himself. Thanks to all who came to feed the beast: Bruce Tansy, Norval Olson, Jody Dickson, Dan Schulz, John Paul Thompson, Jean Tinder, Jane Marsolek, Drew Steffe, I feel like I am missing someone, and Yours Truly with the droopy mask. Thanks, Dawn for the homemade caramel corn and Thanks Suzie Tansy for the waters and the transport. Whoever is missing their fancy winter hat, let me know!

  • Spruce Canyon Saws and Slaws
    Articles,  Fire Mitigation Events

    August Saws and Slaws News

    Out In The YardSummer is in full swing. The noxious weed thistles are getting ready to put on their vibrant hot pink appeal and send their seed. Don’t buy it, try to eliminate these suckers before they bloom. Noxious Weeds take over ecosystems to their detriment. Curious what lurks around you? Boulder County has a guide here: https://www.bouldercounty.org/property-and-land/land-use/noxious-weeds/identification-of-noxious-weeds/Wear gloves! These plants are bad news to your epidermis. Leave it outside and wash right after handling. Safety Tip of the Month: Know and Respect Your Limits! If you don’t feel comfortable felling a particular tree for *any* reason, then simply don’t do it! There is no shame in keeping yourself and…

  • Articles,  Fire Mitigation Events

    July Saws and Slaws News

    The Flowers Are Out! So beautiful. Seems a shame to clear them out for the sake of your home’s defensible space right? But defensible space is crucial to your home’s survival during a wildfire. I know it tugs at your heart strings, but it’s worth it. Start your fire breaks in your 30 foot radius and work outward to 100 feet. Maybe bring the fresh cuts inside for a vase, press them, or make some ink or dye to enjoy them longer. Wondering about your fire risk? Boulder County is doing free assessments from the road. To schedule a home evaluation contact them at wildfire-help@bouldercolorado.gov   Safety Tip of the Month:…

  • Fire Mitigation Events

    June Saws and Slaws News

    June Saws & Slaws News by Heather Hanson / Jody DicksonWildfire Preparedness Workshop UpdateOn April 27th several of our good citizens gathered at the CCCIA Hall for the Wildfire Preparedness Workshop to learn about best practices in preparing for a wildfire event. Since wildfire is not a if, but when prevision, attendance empowers us to prepare for, minimize negative impacts, and survive beyond the event. Several agencies presented strategies and information including Garret Ball, CCCFD, Aaron Betcher, Jeffco Sheriff, Nate Whittington, Gilpin Office of Emergency Management, Kyle McCatty, Wildfire Partners, Boulder County, Daniel Allen, Colorado State Forest Service, and Norma Jones and Larry Sterling, Gilpin County Animal Rescue Team. The…