FireWise of Southwest Colorado is pleased to announce that Neighborhood Ambassadors in La Plata, Archuleta, and Montezuma counties are recipients of national Wildfire Mitigation Awards. Established in 2014, the awards are the highest commendation for innovation and leadership from individuals and organizations committed to wildfire preparedness and mitigation.
Wildfire Mitigation Awards are jointly sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the USDA Forest Service (USFS). The three categories for the awards are Fire Adapted Communities Fire Service Leadership, Wildfire Mitigation Innovation and the Community Wildfire Preparedness Pioneer.
Recognizing the comprehensive challenge posed by wildfires, these awards commend the dedication to wildfire preparedness and safety across a spectrum of activities and among a variety of individuals and organizations. By honoring their achievements, the award sponsors also seek to increase public recognition and awareness of the value of wildfire mitigation efforts.
Les Kole from Deer Valley Estates in eastern La Plata County and Peggy Beach from Loma Linda subdivision in Archuleta County were both awarded the Community Wildfire Preparedness Pioneer award. Eight FireWise Ambassadors from East Canyon (Elk Stream and Elk Springs Ranches) in Montezuma County received the Wildfire Mitigation Innovation award.
"These outstanding individuals are truly embracing the concept of creating fire adapted communities," said Pam Wilson, executive director for FireWise of Southwest Colorado. "They go above and beyond promoting defensible space; they serve as mentors to other Neighborhood Ambassadors and work closely with their local fire departments."
Of the 12 national awardees, six were from Colorado and three from southwest Colorado. Awards will be presented at the IAFC Wildland-Urban Interface Conference in Reno, Nevada on March 9.
FireWise of Southwest Colorado will honor the local recipients at their March 15 meeting.
