US Air Force Academy helps neighbors with fire safety

Mountain Shadows residents got some help with fire mitigation from the US Air Force Academy Saturday, as part of the semi-annual Chipper Event.

“Part of our military code is to do service before self,” said Cadet Nicholas Tappas. “And we really do believe that this is helpful in the community.”

About 250 cadets and 300 volunteers overall spent the day gathering branches, hauling trees, and doing other tasks that will help with fire mitigation.

Organizers say about 20 to 25 volunteers usually show up for the Chipper Event. But this year, the Waldo Canyon Fire motivated more to help.

“It was such a tragic event that happened over the summer, that it felt like I was kind of obliged to come out here,” Cadet Kyle McCabe said. “If it means picking up a shovel and digging, that’s what we’re going to do.”

Volunteers helped clean up and mitigate fire in more than 100 houses in Mountain Shadows. On Monday, the fire department plans to chip the collected material and use it for erosion control and landscape recovery efforts.