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Manitou Springs fire department outlines fuels crew hires, burn box and equipment for July start
Summary
The Manitou Springs Fire Department told OSAC it has received a burn box, purchased a Bobcat with a masticator and plans to hire two full‑time fuels‑crew members expected to begin in early July; the department plans Oak Place as the initial mitigation parcel and will provide manufacturer training to new hires.
Administrative Captain Randy Perkins of the Manitou Springs Fire Department briefed the Open Space Advisory Council on new wildfire‑mitigation capacity: the department received a burn box about three weeks ago, has ordered a forestry package for a Bobcat with a masticator, and completed oral boards with plans to extend offers for a two‑person fuels crew with an expected start in the first or second week of July.
"We do have the burn box. The burn box came in about 3 weeks ago or so. Um we're holding off on training on that until I get the fuels uh team hired," Perkins said. He added the Bobcat is in and the department is awaiting the forestry package (masticator) with delivery expected the first week of July. Perkins said the crew hires are anticipated to be two full‑time, year‑round positions and that manufacturers will provide equipment training once the crew is onboarded.
Perkins asked for OSAC collaboration on selecting open‑space parcels for initial mitigation; Parks Director Jillian Rossi confirmed the first kickoff project will be the Oak Place city parcel near Public Works, described as roughly a half acre. Committee members asked about training, equipment familiarity and whether larger parcels would require contracting out work. Perkins said larger projects will likely be bid and contracted, while the in‑house fuels crew will handle smaller municipal parcels and re‑evaluate needs after the crew begins.
OSAC members asked that department updates and opportunities for volunteer involvement be shared through the city newsletter and that staff coordinate future outreach once roles and timelines are confirmed.
