Conifer-area leaders push wildfire preparedness as Jefferson County affirms fire district unification

At an April town-hall meeting organized by the Conifer Area Council, local fire officials, volunteer groups and county leaders emphasized wildfire preparedness and evacuation planning, and Jefferson County commissioners said they recently affirmed Elk Creek Fire Protection District's unification.

Commissioner Rachel Zentzinger, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, told the gathering that the county on April 8 "affirmed Elk Creek Fire Protection District's unification efforts" in a unanimous vote, and that the county found the agency had followed "the state statutes and exclusion requirements." The commissioners said the decision clears a legal step in the unification process.

Conifer Fire leaders described administrative and operational changes following recent unification of local districts. Curt Rogers, chief of Conifer Fire Protection District, said the agencies have combined administrative functions since the beginning of the year. Deputy Chief Skip Shirlaw noted training and staffing progress, saying the district "just this evening finished our first Conifer Fire EMT class," and that 10 community members completed EMT training and will be deployed for emergency medical calls.

Captain John Mandel and other wildfire staff urged residents to sign up for emergency alerts and learn their evacuation planning unit. Mandel said the county and dispatch have refined planning-unit data since last summer and urged residents to use the online interactive map and the sheriff's Lookout Alert system to receive notifications. "If you do not know what planning unit you are in, I invite you over to the Conifer'and Elk Creek ambassador table," Mandel said. Deputy Chief Shirlaw added: "Please, please, please get on the sheriff's website"

Nonprofit and volunteer groups described community-level preparedness work. Emma Peterson of the American Red Cross said the organization provides sheltering, recovery casework, mental-health and medication-replacement services after fires and other disasters, and noted shelters are predetermined through local partnerships and typically operate in facilities such as middle schools. Rotary Wildfire Ready volunteer Sharon Trope described the group's education, early-warning cameras and fuel-break work and invited volunteers to help thinning along Highway 73.

The Mountain Metro Association of Realtors said it has developed wildfire education courses for agents and is promoting an ambassador program so new residents receive home-hardening guidance. Lindy Loek, CEO of Mountain Metro Association of Realtors, said the association trains members as "mountain area specialists" to inform buyers and sellers about wildfire risk and mitigation.

Jefferson County officials described training and planning investments. Commissioner Zentzinger highlighted a Department of Homeland Security grant that allowed the sheriff's office to acquire a simulation table (SimTable) for wildfire training and said the county plans to make the tool available to other communities. She also noted county emergency manager Nathan Whittington was recognized as Colorado's Emergency Manager of the Year.

Volunteers and agencies encouraged actions residents can take now: register for sheriff Lookout Alert; identify planning-unit evacuation routes using county maps; create a go-kit with medications and pet supplies; and engage with local ambassadors for home-hardening guidance. Several presenters noted the region's continuing hot, dry forecast and the need to treat evacuation as the primary safety measure in extreme incidents.

Votes at a glance: Jefferson County Board of Commissioners affirmed Elk Creek Fire Protection District unification (unanimous; vote count not specified). A rezoning case near U.S. 285 and Richmond Hill Road was reported as approved by the Board of County Commissioners (see separate planning article for details).