Fire mitigation work to begin in popular Colorado Springs open space

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 Stratton Open Space beginning in August.

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.

"Fire mitigation work in open space areas not only helps protect the natural environment and wildlife, but it also reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfires that threaten nearby communities," said Cory Ashby, Colorado Springs Fire Department wildfire program coordinator. "By creating defensible space and strategically managing vegetation, we aim to create a safer environment and greatly improve the overall resilience of Stratton Open Space "

More than 260 acres will be mitigated while maintaining the natural character of the open space in relationship to the surrounding area, recreational opportunities, and natural and cultural resource management.

Stratton Open Space will remain open during mitigation efforts, however intermittent closures of certain trails may be necessary. Please follow all signs and detours. Trail users are asked to use caution around work areas.

CSFD regularly works with PRCS and City Forestry on strategic mitigation projects. One such area was near Bear Creek Regional Park, where prevention efforts were credited for allowing firefighters to quickly control the "Bear Creek Fire" in November 2020. No property was damaged during that wildfire which threatened the Skyway neighborhood, coming right up to property fence lines.

Learn more about the fire mitigation efforts in Stratton Open Space by visiting ColoradoSprings.gov/Stratton.