According to the National Fire Protection Association, a wildfire is "an unwanted, non-beneficial fire that rapidly spreads on hillsides and in valleys, prairies or forests. Wildfires are a threat to homes, particularly those located in wildland settings near forests, in rural areas, and in the mountains."
These links below help to explain how wildfires happen and what can be done to combat them once they do. Several also provide important information if a wildfire is threatening your community. Email website@cbs4denver.com with any questions or suggestions about this page.
Colorado Division of Emergency Management
Find statewide fire restriction information, situation reports, wildfire awareness information, a fire danger map, red flag warnings from the National Weather Service and tips for evacuees on the Colorado Division of Emergency Management Web site.
U.S. Fire Administration
The U.S. Fire Administration Web site provides site visitors with a brochure that outlines steps homeowners can take to protect their homes when wildfires are threatening them. The site also offers safety guidelines for firefighting crews.
Colorado State Forest Service
Colorado State Forest Service, the lead state agency for wildland fire, is an agency of Colorado State University. According to fire division supervisor Richard Homann, the agency "provides outreach and service to federal, state, county, and local governments and also to individual landowners and the general public. Wildfire information on the CSFS Web site includes information about fire prevention, hazard fuel mitigation, defensible space and Community Wildfire Prevention Plans."
Fire Danger Map
Check out the latest fire danger map across the United Stated.
GeoMAC
The Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination Group or GeoMAC, is an Internet-based mapping application that allows people to access online maps of current fire locations and perimeters across the country. Visit the GeoMAC Web site.
Fire-Resistant Landscaping
The Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Web site has extensive information on how best to landscape with fire safety in mind. Included is information on creating wildfire-defensible space on your property and putting in fire-resistant landscaping and grass seed mixes to reduce wildfire hazards.
Tour Of Air Tankers Pilot's Cockpit
Nearly three dozen wildfire-fighting aircraft are ready to respond when new fires in the state of Colorado ignite. Pilot Dale Dahl showed a CBS4 around the cockpit of his Neptune PTV, the "Harley Davidson of air tankers." Watch the complete interview and video.
Wildfire Terminology
Click here to see a helpful list of wildfire terms.
Helping Children Learn About Wildfires
Children can learn more about wildfires on a special section of the National Fire Protection Association Web site. A Web site called Wildlandfire.com also has much more for parents interested in teaching their children about wildfires, wildfire safety or other aspects of wildfires. Smokey the Bear, who has spread the message that "Remember ... Only YOU Prevent Wildfires!" for six decades, also has his own Web site.
Firewise Communities Program
The national Firewise Communities program Web site details three Colorado communities' wildfire mitigation efforts. Read profiles of Genesee, Perry Park and Windcliff.
READYColorado
READYColorado.com is designed to help every Coloradan become prepared to respond to and recover from a wide array of disasters ... both natural and human-caused. Visit the READYColorado.com Web site for more information.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross can be found at most fires that cause evacuations. The organization provides relief and supplies to weary firefighters and often provides shelter for families displaced by fires. Visit the official news site of the American Red Cross.
Road Closures Due To Fires
To view the latest highway closures in Colorado due to wildfires, visit the Colorado Department of Transportation Web site. When you're there, click on "Road Conditions" under the Travel Information header. (This listing includes only major highways, interstates and state highways that are affected by the wildfires. This list does not include various county roads, local roads and forest roads that might be closed in immediate wildfire areas.)
County Emergency Information