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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Riverfront Collaborative Mitigation Projects Beginning Spring 2022

Update: 5/17/2023 SWIFT Crews will continue working over the next couple of weeks in the area of Connected Lakes to complete this grant. If you live in the area expect to hear and see crews with chainsaws and chippers. 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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