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.

Riverfront Collaborative Mitigation Projects Beginning Spring 2022

MESA COUNTY

Through the collaboration of Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition, local agencies are teaming up to tackle wildfire fuels reduction along the river in Grand Junction. Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently received a Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program grant (CoSWAP) to conduct wildfire fuel reduction along the riverfront.

Working together with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado State Forest Service, the City of Grand Junction, the State Wildland Inmate Fire Team, and private landowners, nearly 62 acres will be treated across land ownership boundaries. It is estimated that these projects will protect approximately 340 homes, and 21 businesses.

The project will have four main areas including land within and adjoining Connected Lakes State Park, Letha Jean State Wildlife Area, and Walter Walker State Wildlife Area. Work will begin in the area of Indian Wash, and it is expected that crews will work throughout the spring and in the fall on the different project areas.

For more information on these projects, contact Pete Firmin at Pete.Firmin@state.co.us.

First Mitigation Project Protects Homes, River Habitat, and Firefighters

MESA COUNTY-

With the help of collaborating partner agencies, Two Rivers Wildfire Coalition has recently completed the organization’s first wildfire mitigation project in Mesa County. The project site, located off 28 ¾ Road, focused on creating defensible space between riparian habitat at a Colorado Parks and Wildlife property and approximately 12 nearby dwellings. By removing invasive species in the high risk area the project not only protects people and property but also enhances river habitat and creates zones for firefighter safety and access should a fire occur in that area.

After receiving a donation from Grand Junction Area Realtor’s Association (GJARA), the Wildfire Coalition selected the site because of the high wildfire risk along the river corridor and the impact the site would have in protecting homes. Colorado Parks and Wildlife directed and coordinated work in the area, and Grand Valley Power who serves residents in the defined area, donated in-kind work including trimming, chipping, and removing green waste.

Coalition Co-Chair and CPW Park Manager Pete Firmin said, “This is really a great example of what can happen when our community and our agencies work together to reduce wildfire risk in our County.” GJARA’s coordinator, Lori Carlston-Thompson said, “The Grand Junction Area Realtor Association affiliates were really excited to be able to help with this project! This not only helps to protect our homes and communities, but also the lives of our families and firefighters!”

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.

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