JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo (KDVR) -- Willow Springs neighbors are taking proactive steps to protect their homes from wildfires, coming together to get rid of fuel on their properties.
"When this all started, it was just me and a handful of people trying to get the word out. Now, we've got a roving army of people and 100 residents trying to cut their slash down," said organizer Todd Houghton. "My wife wrote a grant for the Colorado State Forest Service to get some money to help us do two things: One is to educate our neighbors and community about how to protect their own homes. Two, is after they figure out what they need to do and start cutting branches, they end up with these massive piles."
Houghton and a group of volunteers went property to property with a woodchipper, breaking down tree branches, ground juniper or any material that could fuel a fire, in their "Slash and Learn" event.
"You have these massive piles of slash and they're really hard to get rid of. The trash guys won't take them, they cost an arm and a leg," said Houghton. "One little spark, one ignition out there will come into our homes if we don't put a defensible barrier up first."
During the group's last event, they collected over 200 cubic yards of chipped debris. About 75-80 homes requested their assistance for the most recent last weekend.
"A grass fire could turn into a tree fire, which could turn into a house fire," said Houghton. "These really bad winds are dangerous. But, if there's no fuel next to the house and we've hardened it against embers, we stand a much better chance for these homes to survive."
For more information on the next event, visit the Willow Springs Firewise website.