Wildfires in Colorado Happen Every Year!Help support the Spanish Peaks Alliance for Wildfire Protection (SPAWP)Donate NowThe Spring Creek Fire Burned a Total of 108,045 AcresHelp us make sure we are prepared to combat wildfires in the area and make sure we have done all we can to minimize the fire danger.Be PreparedWildfires Impact Our Lives and Our Livelihood!S.P.A.W.P. is a non-profit Colorado corporation with 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status.Learn MoreOur Wildlife Depend on Us!Our mission is to collaboratively protect the Spanish Peaks area and wildlife from the impact of destructive events.
Current ProjectsHelp Us Protect Our Beautiful Spanish Peak AreaThe drastic changes on the landscape after catastrophic wildfires affects ecosystems and how water moves across the land. High intensity wildfires scorch soil and greatly reduce the amount of vegetation on hillslopesUpcoming Events
Spanish Peaks Alliance For Wildfire Protection
Minimizing the Wildfire Impact on Wildlife, Families & Properties in the Spanish Peak Area
In 2013 the East Peak Fire burned a total of 13,572 acres (54.92 square kilometers) and 9 structures and 4 out-buildings had been destroyed. The entire town of Walsenburg was placed under pre-evacuation status.
When the Spring Creek Fire hit the Spanish Peak Area in 2018, it burned a total of 108,045 acres (437 square kilometers) and was the third-largest wildfire in Colorado history. The fire destroyed 140 buildings and made massive damage to the area and properties, not to mention the emotional impact it had on everyone in the area.
Wildfires happens every year in Colorado and how big an impact the fires will have, largely depends on how prepared we are to combat the wildfires and what we have done to minimize the fire danger. It is not a question of if it will happen again, but rather when it will happen, and SPAWP has been formed to prepare the Spanish Peak region communities how to best handle these destructive events.
Active Projects:
SPAWP is currently supporting the Spanish Peaks region by actively participating in and/or administering the following grants and projects:
- FRWRM 2025 : In February 2025, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) granted SPAWP funding to support 150 HIZ assessments
- FRWRM 2024 : In February 2024, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) granted SPAWP $628,440 under the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) Program to mitigate fire risk across 491 acres of high fire risk & high fuel-load forests in Huerfano & Las Animas Counties, specifically in the Cuchara Pass WUI. The grant will be active for the next three years. These projects, complementing ongoing U.S. Forest Service and CSFS efforts, aim to enhance firefighter access, establish escape routes, safeguard wildlife, and maintain water quality.
- FRWRM 2023 : In February 2023, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) granted SPAWP $679,787 under the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) Program to mitigate fire risk across 556 acres of high fire risk forests in Huerfano County, specifically in the Cuchara Valley and Navajo Ranch area, for the next three years. These projects, complementing ongoing U.S. Forest Service and CSFS efforts, aim to enhance firefighter access, establish escape routes, safeguard wildlife, and maintain water quality.
- Hwy 12 – USDA / USFS WUI – Mitigation Matching Funds Awardee: In partnership with Colorado State Forest Service and the Spanish Peaks Alliance for Wildfire Prevention, this project uses a $300k grant to create a 17-mile “Shaded Fuel and Fire Break” on both sides of Hwy 12. It is aimed at protecting people and properties along the corridor and reducing the risk of wildfires, aligning with the National Fire Plan. Community participation and support are crucial for this project.
- USDA/USFS Slash Burn Pile – SPAWP Facilitates Community Collaboration: SPAWP, in collaboration with the USDA/USFS and Huerfano County Dept of Emergency and Disaster Management, set up designated areas for slash collection piles for burning. This process helps to prevent dangerous wildfires by safely burning forest debris and providing training activities for Fire Fighters and Forestry Management Personnel.heavy fuel-load forest in Cuchara Pass-southern
Spanish Peaks regi
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