Pre-& Post-wildfire Hazard Reduction Planning & Mitigation

When to start Planning

It is recommended that water supply agencies plan for wildfires in their watershed(s). Planning for future wildfires now is prudent because actions following wildfires are emergency actions and there is little time to determine the best actions. Wildfire hazard reduction or watershed protection actions are logically different before a wildfire than after one, although there are some common actions. JW Associates has completed a number of projects that have included planning pre- & post-fire actions as well as post-fire mitigation. Targeting post-fire actions to those areas where actions would be most effective as well as most protective of downstream resources is critical to post-fire mitigation success. 

Outcomes

  • Identification of pre- and post-wildfire actions that support the health of critical watersheds

  • Targeted plan for pre- or post-wildfire mitigation to protect downstream resources

  • A better understanding of the overall health of watersheds that have been impacted or could potentially be impacted by watersheds

Benefits

Current / Completed Projects

JW Associates has worked on pre- and post-wildfire planning and mitigation projects since 2011, in Colorado and across the Western US.

The most recent projects include Cameron Peak and East Troublesome Fires in Colorado

See a complete list of projects below.

Tailored Planning and Mitigation Projects

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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.

The process involves these main steps, but can be tailored to the fit the needs of individual projects.

Cameron Peak Post-fire Restoration Project

Upper Poudre Recovery & Resilience Plan

The goal of this post-fire project is to mitigate the negative consequences of the wildfire to high priority watershed values including water quality and supply, river ecosystem function and health, and to reduce flood impacts to downstream communities in both the Cache la Poudre and Big Thompson watersheds. In collaboration with various organizations, our work focused on identifying high-priority areas for the application of mulch in post-fire slope stabilization efforts, along with inspections of the mulched areas for short term and long-term effectiveness of mulching treatment.

Following the High Park Fire many different agencies and groups completed numerous mitigation projects aimed at minimizing the negative effects of the fire on different values. Due to different goals and objectives, as well as limits of funding, both in amount and restrictions, some additional post-fire restoration projects remained years after the fire. This project identified remaining post-fire restoration projects and prioritized them for funding and implementation.

High Park Fire Watershed Restoration & Protection

JW Associates worked with a coalition on targeting watershed protection and restoration projects in the High Park Fire burned area west of Fort Collins, Colorado. The Cache La Poudre watershed is a major water supply for the Cities of Greeley and Fort Collins. Our work on this project included creating a watershed targeting approach that focused the watershed restoration projects to the highest hazard areas.

Past Projects

Hewlett Gulch Fire Watershed & Seaman Reservoir Protection

The Hewlett Gulch Fire burned just west of Fort Collins, Colorado in the spring of 2012. Most of the area of high burn severity was within the immediate drainage area of the Milton Seaman Reservoir, which is owned and operated by the City of Greeley. The City of Greeley hired JW Associates to review the BAER, complete an analysis of the situation and provide recommendations on protection measures that would protect water supplies.