Wildfire Planning & Mitigation
Start Planning Now
Water supply agencies need to plan for wildfires in their watershed(s). Planning for future wildfires now is prudent because actions following wildfires are emergency actions when there is little time to determine the most effective and efficient response. Wildfire hazard reduction or watershed protection actions are logically different before a wildfire than after one, although there are some common themes. JW Associates has completed a number of projects that have included implementing pre-fire actions to reduce the threat of extreme wildfire, planning and completeing post-fire mitigation, as well as planning those post-fire actions before the fires are burning. Targeting post-fire actions to those areas where actions would be most effective and best protect downstream resources is critical to post-fire mitigation success.
We offer the following Wildfire Planning & Mitigation Services:
Wildfire Ready Action Plan Analyses
In collaboration with local stakeholders, communities, and Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Wildfire Ready Watersheds Program, we work on Wildfire Ready Action Plans (WRAPs) across the state of Colorado.
Watershed Wildfire Hazard Assessments
Done before or after a wildfire, Watershed Wildfire Hazard Assessments are a beneficial first step for communities and water provides to identify present or potential wildfire hazards. These assessments provide the following information & outcomes:
Recommend measures to protect critical watersheds for community supplies
Prioritize small watersheds
Gather key stakeholders together and communicate suggested processes, building collaborative understanding of the analysis process
Identify applicable post-fire treatments for future use
Develop and implement climate change-driven management strategies
Protect watersheds that provide or convey critical community water supplies from adverse effects of post-wildfire hydrologic changes, including:
Flooding
Erosion
Debris flows
Deposition
Components of Assessment
Stakeholder collaboration
Modeling and analysis
Prioritize watersheds
Complete watershed protection plan
Assessment Steps
Who We Work With
We have worked with various companies, including the following organizations:
State and Federal natural resource agencies
Non-profits
City and County agencies
Private companies
If you are interested in gaining more information about the health of your local watershed and the potential hazards it may face, please contact us.
JW has developed a comprehensive process for pre-and post-wildfire planning and mitigation that takes into account the individual needs and situations of each project.
Tailored Pre- and Post-Wildfire Planning & Mitigation Projects
Benefits:
Pre-wildfire actions can be very effective in moderating post-wildfire watershed responses
Prioritizing pre-and post-wildfire actions allows agencies to target critical projects within large landscapes
A post-wildfire plan before the fire allows quicker response and more effective treatments
Project Actions:
Identification of pre-wildfire actions that improve watershed resiliency in the event of a wildfire or other disturbances
Connecting pre-wildfire actions with suppression planning
Prioritization of post-wildfire mitigation to protect downstream water supply and other resources
