Fruita Fire Mitigation Project Begins July 31, 2023

The Lower Valley Fire District, along with the City of Fruita, in collaboration with the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management, would like to inform the community of a fire mitigation project that is starting on July 31, 2023, along the City of Fruita bike trail that follows the Little Salt Wash. The community can expect to see and hear crews working in the Creekside Subdivision from North Mesa Street to North Maple, cutting and removing vegetation. The Fruita bike trail will be closed in this area during the project.

Lower Valley Fire District received funds through a grant from the Bureau of Land Management Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program. Mitigation and treatment work is being done by Alpine Tree Service. Alpine Tree Services will be thinning trees to reduce continuous fuels and remove invasive species. The total treatment area is approximately three acres.

This fire mitigation project is part of the Lower Valley Fire District and the City of Fruita’s larger efforts to reduce the risk of fire along the Little Salt Wash and Big Salt Washes in Fruita. This will be the 6th year of fire mitigation, with a total of 24 acres of fuel treated since this work began. Both entities would like to inform those that live around the Big and Little Salt Washes not to displace their yard clippings and tree limbs along the banks or bottoms of these washes. With the help of private landowners and Homeowner Associations, we can reduce the chances of a large-scale fire developing.

If you have questions or concerns contact Lower Valley Fire District at (970)858-3133.

No Thoroughfare Trail Wildfire Mitigation

The week of October 10-14, 2022 teams from the City of Grand Junction Fire Department, Parks Department, and Project Team will be working along a section of No Thoroughfare Trail to reduce the risk of wildfire in the area. The trail will be temporarily closed during this time, with a map of the suggested pedestrian and bike detour below.

This will involve thinning invasive plants and removing dead and down trees to improve the health of the urban forest and reduce the risk of high-intensity fire near homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. The crews will be using chainsaws and chippers to accomplish this goal, while being mindful of preserving habitat for animals in the area.

Fire Chief Ken Watkins said, "This is our first proactive wildfire mitigation project as a department. We're proud of our City crews working together to protect the community while improving the health of our urban forests and the experience of our trails."

“We’re happy to join this effort to promote the health of the urban tree canopy and to reduce wildfire risk”, said Parks and Rec. director Ken Sherbenou. “It is a proactive step to help ensure our public open spaces that are so critical to our quality life are safe and well managed.”

For more information on this project contact Grand Junction Fire Department Community Outreach Office at 970-549-5800 or by email at GJFirePIO@gjcity.org.

New Wildfire Learning Network Open to Community

MESA COUNTY-

Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition is launching a new program that allows residents to learn from and engage with local experts about topics related to wildfire. The Learning Network will consist of monthly virtual meetings that are free and available to the public, all one has to do is complete the Learning Network contact form to receive an invitation to the events.

The first Learning Network session will be held on Tuesday, April 19th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Experts from the National Weather Service will offer a community briefing of the upcoming fire weather forecast, and Grand Valley Power will share free things you can do to prepare your family and your home for wildfire season.

April 19th, 6:00-7:00 PM

• National Weather Service- Fire Weather Forecast

• Grand Valley Power- Free things you can do to prepare your family and home

May 17th, 6:00-7:00 PM

• Bureau of Land Management- Fire Science and Behavior- know your risk factors

June 21st, 6:00-7:00 PM

• Mesa County Sheriff’s Office- Preventing wildfires

• Grand Junction Fire Department- How to make a wildfire plan with your family

July 19th, 6:00-7:00 PM

• How to form a neighborhood wildfire team

August 16th, 6:00-7:00 PM

• An Overview of Fire Risk in Mesa County

Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition is a collaborative non-profit focused on protecting Mesa County communities and natural resources by bolstering wildfire preparedness mitigation, response, and recovery efforts. With over 15 federal, state, local, non-profit, and private agencies working together, the group looks forward to completing more mitigation and education projects in the area in the coming year.

For more information on the Learning Network, contact 970-697-7052.

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