SPAWP (Spanish Peaks Alliance for Wildfire Prevention) was awarded an allocation for the opportunity to receive reimbursement for mitigation expenses
via the USDA-US Dept of Agriculture vis USFS US Forestry Service Federal Funding who has developed the WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) program. Coordinated
via the CSFS (Colorado State Forestry Service) These Funds are Reimbursement based on a matching percentage and type of qualifying approved paid expense
receipts for projects completed on landowners private lands along the Hwy 12 Corridor, Colorado to reduce destruction risks caused by wildfire.
The Objective of the work is to widen and increase the defensible space and escape routes on both sides of Hwy 12 South of La Veta, CO that are at high risk
of wildfire due to forces of nature, drivers throwing cigarettes/cigars out of automobile window and trailer chains that spark on the roads to name few popular
risks that create fires along roadways.
The National Fire Plan (NFP) is a long-term strategy for reducing the effects of catastrophic wildfires throughout the nation. The Division of Forestry's NFP Program
is implemented within the Division's Fire and Aviation Program through the existing USDA Forest Service, State & Private Forestry, State Fire Assistance Program.
Congress has provided increased funding assistance to states through the USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry programs since 2001. The focus of much of
this additional funding was mitigating risk in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas. In the West, the State Fire Assistance (SFA) funding is available and awarded
through a competitive process with emphasis on hazard fuel reduction, information and education, and community and homeowner action. This portion of the
National Fire Plan was developed to assist interface communities manage the unique hazards they find around them. Long-term solutions to interface challenges
require informing and educating people who live in these areas about what they and their local organizations can do to mitigate these hazards.
The Comprehensive Strategy focuses on assisting people and communities in the WUI to moderate the threat of catastrophic fire through the four broad goals of
improving prevention and suppression, reducing hazardous fuels, restoring fire-adapted ecosystems, and promoting community assistance.
This project reduces risks to assets, loss of Human lives and Wildlife as well as creates work employment for Contractors.