Fire Season in North Park Has Begun

Colorado is known for having more sunny days than nearly anywhere else in the world. Summertime in North Park is usually a time of year where visitors can enjoy clear blue skies along with cooler mountain temperatures. Recent visitors might have noticed that the characteristic blue skies are very hazy. Later in the summer, seasonal fires in Utah, California, Oregon, and even British Columbia often reduce those crystal clear skies to something a little harder to look at. 

Late summer often brings wildfires. Smoke from wildfires all throughout the western US and Canada is brought by the prevailing west wind where it sometimes settles in mountain valleys in Colorado. As part of the West, Colorado is no stranger to seasonal wildfires. Many people don’t know that fire is actually a natural part of the ecosystem, which can have both positive and negative effects. 

North Park has had its share of fires too, with the destruction of thousands of acres of forested countryside. The fight is far from over, and everyone can do their part to prevent the next bad seasonal fires.

Invasive Species, Climate Changes, and More People

As the population of Colorado continues to grow, more places in our state are facing problems brought about by the environmental impact of people on the land. With greater population growth, urban areas need more water, which is being bought and diverted from watersheds that were mostly used by agriculture in the high country. 

Non-native species such as switchgrass, which has an extremely high flammability rating, also propagate wildfires, often burning out more fire-hardy ground coverage and spreading fire very quickly. Pine beetles, tree blight, and other diseases have also played a role in damaging forests and leaving them vulnerable to wildfires.

Depleted aquifers, parched rivers, and drained wetlands can contribute to local and regional droughts, which leave forests vulnerable to disease and stress on the environment. Not all drought (or fire) is caused by humans, of course, but the prevalence of more populated areas certainly adds to the danger of wildfires that have become an immediate concern to public safety and property.

Fires that occur in unpopulated areas are generally monitored and contained, but what happens when there are no longer these wild sorts of places? Fire destroys lives and property and that relationship can become tricky.

The Pine Beetle Crisis

Where there are pines, there are often pine beetles, but Colorado recently faced an epidemic of invasive pine beetle species, as well as a boom in reproduction of native species hit Colorado forests at the tail end of a decades-long drought. Not only are healthy trees a deterrent to pine beetle infestation, but so are cold winters. 

Pine beetles go dormant and can survive extreme temperatures down to around -40 degrees thanks to an antifreeze type compound in their blood. With milder winters, larger numbers of beetles were able to survive and breed throughout the summer months, which led to the decimation of Colorado’s pine forests.

With so many dead trees in Colorado’s forests, it was only a matter of time before a lightning strike, careless campfire, or structure fire ignited a literal tinderbox. That’s exactly what happened in 2020, during what is often known as the Red Summer.

The Red Summer: the 2020 Fires of Colorado

During 2020, thousands of acres of alpine forest in North Park burned in late summer. Much of the fires were localized in the northwest and northern part of Jackson County, from the Big Creek Lakes area to the Wyoming Border and beyond. Fortunately, North Park was spared the brunt of the wildfires that happened that summer. The Cameron Peak fire and East Troublesome fires burned over a quarter million acres.

Many places across the western US were also dealing with wildfires, from the California coast all the way into the Cascades of Oregon and Washington. During a summer of pandemic lockdowns, Colorado residents along the Front Range watched street lights turn on during the day, and watched ash fall with the eerie shapes of pine needles and leaves that had drifted out of the atmosphere. 

The fires displaced wildlife, affected the air quality, and even blotted out the sun for weeks. Hundreds of houses and structures were destroyed, leaving many homeless and forced to start over. Fire and rescue teams from all over the US came to fight the fires. US Forest Service smokejumpers, air support crews, fire line workers, and volunteer firefighters worked around the clock to try to contain the firestorm that had descended on our mountains. Much of the fire continued to burn until the first snows of winter came. But by then, the damage was already done.

The threat of wildfires is still a major issue in Colorado. A drive through the mountains still reveals countless dead pine trees, which have yet to be cleared. As people have continued to build in the mountains, the importance of preserving human life and protecting property makes fire prevention even greater.

Pros and Cons of Fire 

Yes. Healthy forests actually benefit from fire. Fires burn off deadfall and replenish nutrients in the ground. Wildfires can make clearings in forests where more groundcover can grow, which attracts wildlife such as deer, elk, and other large mammals. Some pine tree species actually require fire to germinate their seeds to grow more trees. And pine beetles, tree fungus, and parasites are also vulnerable to fire, reducing their populations and preventing the spread of destruction.

Unfortunately when wildfires get out of control—usually due to arid conditions, strong winds, and drought conditions—they can be highly destructive. Airborne smoke can compound health problems in people, and affect weather patterns. Many places that have been burned throughout Colorado could take decades to recover. And the lives that have been lost are gone forever.

That deadfall often accumulates to dangerous levels, which can burn too hot and too quickly to leave any trees left alive. These deforested areas also suffer from greater erosion without any root systems to hold the land in place. Rain can lead to mudslides, which can destroy roads, homes, and even choke rivers with sediment. Areas that have been burned out might take years to recover, leaving them as uninhabitable deserts for wildlife. 

The damage fires have on personal property and even the loss of human life can be staggering.

As our forests continue to heal from years of environmental impact, please tread carefully and reduce the risk of further damage. It might take years to catch up to the damage the droughts and invasive species have caused. Forestry workers are doing what they can to rejuvenate our forests, but it will take time.

What You Can Do to Reduce the Risk of Fire

Though many wildfires are caused by lightning strikes, in recent years the influx of more visitors into drought-stricken forests has increased the likelihood of fires caused by humans. Here are some things you can do to prevent wildfires when visiting Colorado:

• Observe Fire Restrictions on Public Lands: Signs all along the highways will indicate if a fire ban or warning is in effect. Violation of these rules just won’t get you a steep fine; it could endanger the lives of others.
• Never leave a fire unattended: Carry a shovel and plenty of water to put out your fires: COLD to the touch. While camping and any fuel lamps or stoves should be kept clear of brush or flammable material. Always use a fire ring, and keep an eye out for flying embers.
• Properly extinguish whatever you are smoking: A discarded cigarette or any other item (looking at YOU, #Colorado #420) can easily start a fire. Always use an ashtray or common sense when smoking anything. Even the smallest spark can burn down the biggest forest.
• Keep a Good Lookout: If you see smoke, especially outside of a campground, please report it. The local number to call Fire and Rescue in North Park is 911.

North Park Fire and Rescue Authority

For generations, North Park has built a network of volunteer firefighters who work diligently to protect the public. Not only does North Park Fire and Rescue fight structure fires, wildfires, and assist with agricultural fires in Jackson County, they also work with other EMS first responders in the event of vehicle accidents. Car collisions, ATV injuries, and motorcycle accidents are among the leading causes of death in North Park. 

Most of these could have been avoided. High-speed rollovers and animal strikes affect many visitors to North Park. Keeping your eyes on the road (and not your cell phone), wearing a safety belt, and driving at a safe speed can save your life on these mountain roads. Most fires can be prevented as well by understanding the proper way to start and maintain a fire and knowing when to call for help in case a fire gets out of control.

For years, North Park Fire and Rescue Authority has been working with the public and educating people on how to live safely around fire, and educating the public. Knowing the correct use of fire suppression equipment such as fire extinguishers and knowing your fire exits can save lives.

New Facilities for a New Generation

In August of 2024, North Park Fire and Rescue will be breaking ground for a new addition to their Walden firehouse. As the fire department has grown, it has needed a place for its fleet of fire trucks, training facilities, and even a workspace for events supporting North Park Fire and Rescue Authority. Funds for the building were raised through donations and grants to enable them to serve the community.

Beginning in the 20th Century with a few trucks and a team of local volunteers, North Park Fire and Rescue Authority has grown to a capable force of professionally trained firefighters with state of the art equipment and fire science training to help them protect the public.

Our firefighters are all local volunteers who work hard and train together to provide professional grade fire support and suppression techniques for the community. North Park Fire and Rescue serves all towns throughout Jackson County and often works in conjunction with State and Federal level fire teams. From house fires to wildfires and just about everything in between, they will come when you need them most.

If you are interested in donating to North Park Fire and Rescue Authority, contact them via their website. 

Call 911 in Case of Emergency

If you need assistance with a fire, vehicle accident, or any other emergency when visiting North Park, do not hesitate to call 911.