The Manitou Springs Fire Department says thanks to a recent donation, they can match residents’ fire mitigation efforts up to $500. Known as the Resident Wildfire Mitigation Grant Match Program, it will provide homeowners matching funds for removing “hazardous vegetation and reducing wildfire risk around their homes”.
Much of Manitou Springs is located in what is a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). According to the Colorado State University of Forestry, the WUI is anywhere that structures and other human development are near or intermingled with wildland vegetation. The grant was made possible thanks to the Manitou Springs Community Foundation.
โMitigation is one of the most effective tools in protecting lives and property from wildfires,โ said Michael Willie, Lieutenant and Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator for MSFD. โThis program empowers residents to take meaningful action before the fire season intensifies.โ
