If you see or start a fire call for help immediately. Call 911. It may take 30 minutes or more for the fire department to arrive at your home. Our community has a high risk of devastation due to wildfire because we live with lots of trees, because of the drought and because of limited road access.

PREPARE FOR FIRE DANGER

Please make yourself aware of local fire conditions if you are new to our community or are just visiting. Know how to get out of the development at all times – especially at night.

LIVING IN THE BACA

If you live in Crestone or the Baca or are planning to move here, you are joining an ecosystem that has been self-sustaining for thousands of years. Your presence will have an impact.

Our community has a high risk of devastation due to wildfire because we live with lots of trees and we have limited road access.

Know your way out of the development at all times!

The Baca Grande Volunteer Fire Department recognizes that the practice of “preventing forest fires” (by suppression) has contributed to breaking the self-sustainable cycle. Fires used to be small and cleansing in the West, but suppression has caused the buildup of vast amounts of dead fuels. The overcrowding of live fuels sets the stage for catastrophic sterilizing fire that could happen here.

Those homes where the fire danger has been mitigated are more likely to survive. Remove fire fuels from around your house! Reduce tree density!

Many of us who have chosen to live here want our effects on the environment to contribute to long-term sustainable health and a high quality of life. We invite you to join us in this endeavor, which may require some different approaches then those you may be used to. You may never have lived anywhere that is this ecologically supportive of fire before.

As you build or buy a home here, whether it is your permanent or part-time residence, please do everything you can to mitigate the risk of fire danger on your property—and also learn what to do in case of fire. Attend community fire information meetings and plan with your neighbors for mitigation and safety.

The Fire Department aims for a vegetation pattern where the trees are generally far enough apart, with the lower branches and fuels on the ground minimized, so that any fires are low to the ground and of minimal intensity. Old photos taken circa 1900 show this pattern.

Our hope is that houses be as boulders in the river, where like the water in the river, the fire goes around them. We must have your help so that houses and properties can survive a fire storm on their own and the firefighters can turn their efforts toward fighting the running fire, not toward individual structure protection.

The Baca Grande Volunteer Fire Department is a division of the Baca Grande Property Owners Association. The BGVFD is a small, very dedicated group of volunteers, and on any given day the number of people available to fight fires may be limited. Our volunteers also have to earn a living, do errands out of town, and occasionally fight fires in other locations.

HOW TO HELP PREVENT WILDFIRES

A wildfire, once started, can run out of control very quickly, especially in dry and windy conditions. Don’t be responsible for starting one. You may be held liable for any damages you cause.

• Don’t drive over or park on dry grass - your car may ignite a fire.

• No fireworks!

• Smoke safely and put it out completely. Don’t smoke outside in strong winds.

• Clean up all glass outside and cover recycling.

• Dispose of fireplace ashes safely. Put them in a metal container, soak with water and let sit until they are completely cold before dumping outside.

• Chainsaws must have sparks arrestors installed.

• Go to www.firewise.org/co/ to learn more about mitigating your home.