In this dry climate, wildfire is always a threat. A Community Wildfire
Protection Plan (CWPP) draws a map of your community and identifies
the location of things that are important, or valued by the residents,
and it provides suggested strategies and projects to protect those
values in case of a wildfire. Values at risk are individual to each
community: homes are an obvious value to community members, but values
can also include roads for evacuation, wells, other structures,
wildlife habitat, or even the view.
A CWPP that is specific to where you live draws attention to the
projects the community has decided need to be done, and helps to
outline the project priority. You, as a community, can plan and take
action to reduce those risks in a way that is reasonable and
acceptable to your way of life. Accomplishing CWPP projects will help
to protect your home, your neighborhood, and your community by
reducing the possibility that wildfire will destroy it all.
There are no laws to make you develop these plans, but many grants do
require them. Insurance companies are recognizing that CWPPs do
make a difference to community safety and are encouraging CWPP
development. Grants are available to help with funding the projects
covered by a CWPP to reduce the risk of wildfire. Has your community
written a plan yet? For assistance, contact CUSP or your local
Colorado State Forest Service office.
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