Month: September 2021

What Would You Take If You Had 5 Minutes…

Your phone just rang, it’s a Reverse-911. You need to evacuate, there’s a wildfire threatening your neighborhood and you need to leave NOW. What would you grab in the minutes left before you get in your vehicle and leave your home behind?

The Washington Post, in their Climate & Environment section, ran a gripping story about some folks who fled the Dixie Fire, which destroyed Greenville, California, this past August. Read the full story here.

WaPo typically allows non-subscribers to view up to 3 articles a month. If you can’t read the article right now, here’s a sampling of some of the residents of Greenville were able to save. I encourage you to go back next month and read the full story.

Along with the ashes of her two deceased dogs and several trinkets , Stephanie made sure to grab the book she was reading.
Along with the ashes of her two deceased dogs and several trinkets , Stephanie made sure to grab the book she was reading.
This teen grabbed her Divergent book series and her Pokémon cards, her photo album, which, she says, helps her to remember the good times.
This teen grabbed her Divergent book series and her Pokémon cards, and her photo album, which, she says, helps her to remember the good times.
Joshua saved his great-grandmother's sewing table, which meant a lot to his mom, and a large water bottle.
Joshua saved his great-grandmother’s sewing table, which meant a lot to his mom, and a large water bottle.
Teresa escaped the flames with her dog and the rosary which she always wears around her neck.
Teresa escaped the flames with her dog and the rosary which she always wears around her neck.
Karen was able to grab this quilt, which still keeps her warm.
Karen was able to grab this quilt, which still keeps her warm.
This teen says he mostly wanted to help his family pack, but he remembered to grab his favorite pair of shoes.
This teen says he mostly wanted to help his family pack, but he remembered to grab his favorite pair of shoes.
Jeff grabbed this hat he received as a volunteer for the Forest Fire Lookout Association.
Jeff grabbed this hat he received as a volunteer for the Forest Fire Lookout Association.

Mary rescued the Maidu baby basket in which she and her children rested as infants.
Mary rescued the Maidu baby basket in which she and her children rested as infants.

The Colorado Wildfire Risk Public Viewer

A normal human trait is to avoid looking for trouble before it happens. Unfortunately, engaging in this type of behaviour can lead to unfortunate and even deadly circumstances, especially where wildfire is concerned.

Hence we at C.A.R.E. are presenting the Colorado Wildfire Risk Public Viewer.  https://co-pub.coloradoforestatlas.org/#/

This viewer is a joint venture between the Colorado Forest Service and Colorado State University. It’s designed to increase wildfire awareness, provide a comprehensive view of local wildfire risk and local fire history, and educate about wildfire prevention and mitigation.

Sometimes this is all it takes — seeing your home in relation to real wildfire risk and to encourage you to get busy with the mitigation chores that you’ve been putting off all summer long.

Remember, this viewer contains no guarantees and makes no warranties. Use it to remind  yourself that, as much as we love the land, we have to be aware of the possible risks of living within the woodland-urban interface.