Fire mitigation work to begin in Colorado Springs regional park

The Colorado Springs Fire Department's (CSFD) Mitigation Section, along with Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) and City Forestry staff, are teaming up to complete fire mitigation work in Palmer Park beginning the week of Aug. 26.

Prevention efforts include reducing critical fuels by limbing, thinning stand density, chipping of any dead and down woody debris, and the removal of live, dead, and diseased standing vegetation. All work aims to reduce wildfire risk to wildlife habitat, recreation resources, biological areas, and natural and cultural resources as well as to surrounding neighborhoods and public property.

Palmer Park will remain open during mitigation efforts; however intermittent closures of certain trails may be necessary to minimize impact to the community while creating a safe working environment. Please follow all signs and detours. Trail users should expect to see forestry machinery, chippers, and hand-working crews with chainsaws. Please use caution around work areas.

CSFD regularly works with PRCS and City Forestry on strategic mitigation projects. One such area, currently underway is in Stratton Open Space. These efforts aim to create defensible space adjacent to and in conjunction with residential property while maintaining the natural character of the public lands.