There are no guarantees. But there are lots of things people who live in fire-prone areas can do to increase the odds that their homes and property will survive during the upcoming wildfire and flood seasons.
“Be Prepared,” a community event scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on May 11 at Ward Mountain Ranch, 4985 Stove Prairie Road, will address these questions: What did we learn from the recent fires? What can we expect this year? What can we do to be better prepared? Who can help us?
Wes Rutt, outreach and education chairman for event sponsor Colorado Tree Farmers, warns “there’s still plenty of fuel in the High Park burn area.”
Following opening remarks by Larimer County Undersheriff Bill Nelson, neighbors who lost their homes in the High Park Fire will share what they learned and what they would do differently. Fire and flood experts will advise participants what to expect in the future and live demonstrations and videos will explain preparedness techniques.
Several volunteer organizations will describe what they do and offer assistance to anyone currently in need.
Linda Masterson, who lost her home in the 2011 Crystal Fire and is author of “Surviving Wildfire – A Handbook for Homeowners,” will participate in the event. “We were better prepared than most,” she said.”But we were nowhere near as well prepared as we should have been. Or could have been.”
The event is free and open to the public. For detailed information and a Google map of the location go to www.treefarmer.com/beprepared.html.
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