Technosylva’s solutions are helping Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) better engage residents with the knowledge and understanding they need to reduce their wildfire risk. CFSF worked with Technosylva to produce the state’s Wildfire Risk Assessment to help decision-makers, communities, and landowners assess wildfire risk.
At the recent Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Conference, CSFS experts stressed that no area is immune from the risk of wildfire. Even in downtown Steamboat Springs, where many people feel insulated from such threats, there is still a danger of blowing embers igniting buildings.
To help mitigate this risk, wildfire specialist Chad Julian highlighted the updated mapping layers for wildfire risk assessment in Routt County. These maps, produced through the use of advanced technology, show that nowhere is completely safe from the threat of wildfire. This underscores the importance of taking preventative measures to protect homes and businesses.
The new maps leverage “building loss factor” determinations as a more holistic approach that integrates the characteristics of the wildland with the features of the built environment to better predict damage and building loss. These factors include historic and simulated wildfire spread, vegitation, key building features, clustering, and building influencers on other buildings. This approach helps to focus home hardening and defensible space activities by residents.
Reporting on the event, the Steamboat Pilot & Today, said, “The mapping layers of the wildfire risk assessment, produced through contractor Technosylva, include building loss factor, defensible space, ingress and egress, and wildland urban interface.”
“This type of product looks at neighborhoods and communities more effectively to see the type of things that are negative from a fire perspective, “It has better resolution for structures and communities to be more strategic in those areas,” said Julian.
At the event, Julian discussed the importance of creating defensible space around structures and using fire-resistant construction materials. He also emphasized the need for community-wide efforts and involvement, as preventing wildfire damage is a responsibility that extends beyond just fire agencies.
Learn more about the event here.
