The Colorado Department of Natural Resources has allocated funding to help low-income residents reduce wildfire threats.

A $22,800 Colorado Wildfire Risk Reduction grant was recently awarded to the Montezuma County Chiefs Association to launch a pilot mitigation program for low-income residents. The funding would help residents remove potential fuel and build firebreaks around their homes, according to Firewise of Southwest Colorado officials.

“By removing fuel around structures and driveways, the risk of losing homes and lives during a wildfire is reduced, said Montezuma County Firewise coordinator Rebecca Samulski. “But many area residents who live in high-risk areas, have neither the time, money or tools to do what is necessary to protect their homes and families.”

Samulski said interested communities with a high percentage of low-income residents living in high-risk wildfire areas were also eligible. She said the grant also would fund crews to create fuel breaks to slow a fire from entering low-income neighborhoods.

Slated to start at the end of next summer, the work would be done in partnership with community organizations and the Southwest Colorado Conservation Corps.

“Mitigation may range from raking and cleaning pine needles out of gutters, to sawing trees and chipping slash,” Samulski said.

Samulski said volunteers interested in helping perform the work were encouraged.

Funding for 25 grants awarded in 16 counties was made possible through a one-time state budget amendment of $10.3 million. The Colorado Forest Restoration Institute will monitor the projects.

For additional information, contact Rebecca Samulski at 970-564-4007.

tbaker@cortezjournal.com