Considering the poor snowfall this year I thought it would be appropriate to revisit a question I’ve answered hundreds of times throughout my career. Each Spring people ask me “what do you think fire season will be like this year?” I always answer with the same reply: “You can never tell until the year is over.” In my mind however, this really begs the next two questions, what are my local firefighting agencies doing to prepare for the coming wildfires and what should I do to prepare? 

First, note that I said, “coming wildfires.” My point is simple, wildfires have shaped the vegetation we see around us for millions of years. There is no reason to think they won’t happen, so let’s call that a given. It’s just a matter of when. The only difference now versus a thousand years ago is the human factor. We are likely to see more frequent fires now because of humans. We start fires. Both willfully and unintentionally. It doesn’t matter how, we just start them and when we do, we see the will of the fire burn as it may. Like many of my indigenous friends and neighbors, I believe each fire is its own being. Some have a stronger personality and will burn more ferociously than others. Those fires are the ones most of us notice. If they are going to come to life this year it would be prudent for us to be ready.  

Here on the Rio Grande National Forest our temporary firefighters will come on board soon. We happily welcome them back since we know we cannot do this without them. They play a key role in fire management both here on the RGNF and anywhere in the country they are called to. The training and recertifications, endurance testing, next-level fire management courses are all normal steps we take this time of year. This year, we might just have to put it into regular practice sooner than normal. 

Our fire managers are trained to act swiftly to respond to fires and will first address any primary life safety needs. We will always work with that as our #1 priority. You should expect nothing less. We will order as much help as deemed appropriate to manage the fire to the extent possible. Our partners and neighbors (local, state and federal) will also be ready to respond to our call for help. Just as we are ready to assist them. 

Some of you can still see the horrifying images of the recent southern California wildfires fresh in your mind. Good. Especially if you have a house or property in a fire prone area. I urge you to respond to that awareness with decisive action. Take a critical look at your property and make a plan to address any vulnerabilities now, while it is cool and there is no urgency. I am 100 percent sure that when the smoke is in the air, the time for planning that work has long passed.  

Many folks could stand to do a little work to “harden” their home from a wildfire. Others need to take major steps to ensure their home has a remote chance of withstanding even a moderate intensity wildfire. I am equally certain of this: if you don’t do anything, your chances will not improve. I frequently say to folks “start today” and I truly mean it. A great first step would be to visit this helpful website from the Colorado State Forest Service. https://csfs.colostate.edu/wildfire-mitigation/protect-your-home-property-from-wildfire. After you do, I’ll bet that you can easily identify some of the thick vegetation around your home that needs to be removed. Go out and cut down that one shrub under a tree right now! You’ll feel better about your situation immediately and afterwards it may not seem like such a daunting task ahead of you. You’ve got this!  

Based on current weather patterns, we are likely to experience conditions that will support larger wildfire activity sooner than normal. That easily could change but it doesn’t hurt to consider it. How the fires affect us though, especially around our homes, is generally up to us. With purposeful consideration given to all burnable items around our homes, we can make changes now that will serve to reduce home ignitability when that inevitable fire does show up.  

Gregg Goodland is the Public Affairs Officer for the Rio Grande National Forest. An avid outdoor enthusiast, promoting the safe and responsible use of our public lands is his lifelong mission.