As snow fell in Colorado Monday, Governor John Hickenlooper spoke about the state's 2014 wildfire outlook and signed three wildfire focused bills into law. While Northern Colorado has seen ample moisture, the Division of Fire Prevention and Control said the state should still expect to see an average to normal fire season.
“We are hopeful that we can have a mild fire season, but we believe that we’re prepared for the eventuality that we are going to see fire,” said Paul Cook, director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
The U.S. Forest Service notes the plains of Eastern Colorado are at the greatest risk for wildfire, at least until green-up begins. There is also concern for areas in southeastern and southwestern Colorado where severe drought continues and snow pack is well below average.
Governor Hickenlooper said the three bills, along with continued interagency cooperation, will further bolster the state’s firefighting capabilities.
“I think we are ready. We’ve made tremendous advance in the last few years in terms of how we integrate our local firefighters with our state assets and the federal assets,” Hickenlooper said. “We’ve talked to the Fire Service and the BLM and they are capable and ready to be our partners as well.”
Hickenloper signed the three bills flanked by firefighters and legislators including State Senate Republican from Grand Junction Steve King, sponsor of SB14-164 [.pdf]. The first of the three bills, the legislation authorizes $20 million for the state to acquire two fire-spotting planes, four helicopters and four SEAT aircraft - or single engine air tankers. King said the fleet is just one piece of wildfire prevention and control.
“We have got to focus on the management of our lands around our watersheds,” he said. “We have got to have a partnership with the federal government to remediate the 70 percent of federal lands on the Western slope around our watersheds.”
Jennifer Jones with the Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho said the Forest Service welcomes the addition of a Colorado aerial firefighting fleet. The current national fleet stands at less than 20 planes nationwide.
“The U.S. Forest Service supports the State of Colorado’s efforts to enhance their capability. The cooperation of local, state, and federal agencies is critical for effective wildfire management. When one partner becomes stronger, everyone becomes stronger,” Jones said.
The two other bills, HB14-1008 [.pdf] and HB14-1010 [.pdf] provide loans for forest health projects by the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority and adjust the management of Colorado’s prescribed burns program.
