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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Coalition Receives Grant to Support Outreach

MESA COUNTY-

Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition (TRWC) was recently awarded an Opportunity Fund Grant from Fire Adapted Colorado to help launch the “Make Some Noise” outreach program.

Through this program, when TRWC partner agencies are conducting wildfire fuels reduction, TRWC will work to connect the surrounding neighborhoods with information about the project and resources to support them in reducing the risk of wildfire on their own properties.

Fire Adapted Colorado Communications and Operations Specialist Cindy Howard said, “Through the generous support of the Argosy Foundation as well as a successful September Wildland Fire Conference that was held in Grand Junction, we were able to offer our Wildfire Resilience Opportunity Fund Awards to nine of Fire Adapted Colorado’s member organizations. This seed funding enables those organizations who lead wildfire resilience in their communities, to act on the passion and needs that they understand, for projects that are hard to fund.”

As part of the $17,810 of total awards given by Fire Adapted Colorado to nine agencies, the $2,660 grant for TRWC will help provide initial supplies to do that outreach including signage for projects, neighborhood outreach materials, and online resources for residents. TRWC partner agencies will provide $13,781 in in-kind and cash match to the Opportunity Fund Grant.

Each fuel reduction project area will be different; some may bring awareness of wildfire risk to an area, others may provide cooperative green waste removal, and some may have volunteer opportunities. With the initial outreach materials and online resources TRWC will be able to connect neighbors with education and resources about how they can help make Mesa County a fire adapted community.

For more information contact Ellis Thompson-Ellis, TRWC Co-Chair, at 970-549-5837.

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