Protecting the community from the threat of wildland fire is a top priority for Castle Rock Fire and Rescue. A plan has been in the works since 2016, and a resolution to finalize the department’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan was a topic on Town Council’s Jan. 18 meeting agenda.
Here is a closer look:
- Resolution approved finalizing Castle Rock Fire and Rescue’s 2022 Community Wildfire Protection Plan – Town Council approved a resolution to adopt Castle Rock Fire and Rescue’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The plan was developed through a series of comprehensive, scientifically based analyses of wildfire-related hazards and risks in areas CRFD serves where wildland and urban areas meet.
This plan was a collaborative effort among the Town, Douglas County and the Colorado State Forest Service. It provides mitigation strategies and tactics to protect life; homes and other property; infrastructure; and recreation and environmental resources in the case of a significant wildfire. Recommendations include public education, fuel management, and the identification of home ignition zones, water supplies and access/evacuation.
During the assessment, the Town was broken into 19 residential hazard zones. Each zone was evaluated for a hazard risk of either low, moderate, high, very high or extreme. As a result, two zones were rated as moderate, 12 were rated as high and five were rated as very high. There were no low or extreme zones identified in the assessment. Implementing this plan will help the Town move forward on projects to reduce risks associated with wildland fire, with a priority first on very high-rated areas.
Castle Rock Fire and Rescue is an internationally accredited agency through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and is responsible for all aspects of wildland fire including planning, mitigation and response in the department’s service area.
Learn more about the Community Wildfire Protection Plan at CRgov.com/WildfireSafety.
Watch the presentation and Council discussion
Also on the agenda, Council approved the second reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of $30 million in bonds for Castle Rock Water. The funding will be used for projects including a pipeline through Parker Water and Sanitation District to transport additional WISE water to the community; a new 822-acre-foot reservoir in Sedalia; and a new pipeline and pump station to move water from the Plum Creek Basin to Rueter-Hess Reservoir for storage.
Coming up
The next regular Town Council meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 1. Visit CRgov.com/CouncilComments between Jan. 27 and Feb. 1 to provide written feedback, or to sign up to speak via videoconference during the meeting. The meeting will be available live at CRgov.com/CouncilMeeting. In-person attendance will also be available.
Questions? Email all Councilmembers at TownCouncil@CRgov.com, or find your Council representative at CRgov.com/Council; sign up for email updates by clicking “Get Email Updates.” Updates include summaries of top Council items, as well as previews of Council meetings.
View Town Council agendas at CRgov.com/Agendas. Watch Council live at CRgov.com/WatchCouncil, or catch a recording there after the meeting. Town Council meetings are also broadcast live and replayed on Comcast Channel 22.
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