Mitigation crews at work during high fire danger season

Southern Colorado is facing high fire danger, as the region is critically dry.

“Most of the fires that occur are in this early spring time when the weather pattern gets warm and the winds get high and fuels still haven’t gotten their full green up for spring,” said Lt. Brad Starling, with the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

Firefighters say now is the time to clear out forest fuels for fires.

That’s what Jesse Wittry says he’s done for years, as a contractor. Right now, he’s working on a project in Black Forest, called Shamrock Ranch.

“A 350-acre project funded by CUSP, Coalition for the Upper South Platte,” said Wittry.

Wittry says it’s an especially important area to target, given its history.

“To make sure that (something like) the Black Forest Fire doesn’t happen again in our own backyard,” Wittry explained.

“Not only are the fuels dry, but the relative humidity is low the winds are high,” added Starling.

Starling says it’s important to be vigilant about anything that could spark a fire, including discarded cigarettes, lightning strikes and campfires.