Phase 1 of fire mitigation work at SkyRidge Open Space, which includes an area along Powerline Trail in the SkyRidge portion of Horse Gulch, is complete.
The city of Durango’s Parks and Recreation Department formed the Fire Adapted Durango Partnership with Durango Fire Protection District, Colorado State Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, La Plata County, Wildfire Adapted Partnership, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, San Juan National Forest and neighbors adjacent to mitigation areas. The goal of the partnership is to reduce risk of wildfire within city limits, specifically within the Wildland Urban Interface – areas where human-made improvements are built close to, or within, natural terrain and flammable vegetation.
Fire mitigation work will continue in the Wildland Urban Interface in coming years. The city will notify residents living in areas of upcoming mitigation work and engage them in the projects. Community engagement and education are critical in making Durango a fire-adapted community.
Since initiating Phase 1, some private homeowners adjacent to city open space have worked to create defensible space around their homes. The Wildfire Adapted Partnership provides education and resources to assist homeowners with this process. Homeowners can have cut vegetation hauled away during the city’s Fall and Spring Cleanup events.
For more information, call 375-7321 or email rec@DurangoGov.org.
