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Living in Colorado's red zone: 'It's a week to burn your house down' Living in Colorado's red zone: 'It's a week to burn your house down'
(8 days later)
Fire officials in Colorado Springs have long worried about the potential for an out-of-control wildfire within city limits. This week that scenario materialised, as the blaze that started in Waldo Canyon killed one person and gutted an estimated 347 homes, making it the most destructive wildfire in Colorado's history.Fire officials in Colorado Springs have long worried about the potential for an out-of-control wildfire within city limits. This week that scenario materialised, as the blaze that started in Waldo Canyon killed one person and gutted an estimated 347 homes, making it the most destructive wildfire in Colorado's history.
It was the result, said fire officials, of two distinct trends: the rising number of wildfires in recent years, and the growing number of people living in high-risk fire zones.It was the result, said fire officials, of two distinct trends: the rising number of wildfires in recent years, and the growing number of people living in high-risk fire zones.
"This is something we have been talking about for 21 years," the city's deputy fire chief, Tommy Smith, told reporters."This is something we have been talking about for 21 years," the city's deputy fire chief, Tommy Smith, told reporters.
As of now, the focus shifts towards ensuring such a tragedy never happens again, Steve Cox, a former fire chief and adviser to the Colorado Springs mayor, said. "We want to change something in the equation so we don't end up with the same thing that we have now."As of now, the focus shifts towards ensuring such a tragedy never happens again, Steve Cox, a former fire chief and adviser to the Colorado Springs mayor, said. "We want to change something in the equation so we don't end up with the same thing that we have now."
But it could require reversing a major demographic trend. Over the last 20 years, quarter of a million people have moved into Colorado's red zones, areas seen as most at risk for wildfires.But it could require reversing a major demographic trend. Over the last 20 years, quarter of a million people have moved into Colorado's red zones, areas seen as most at risk for wildfires.
More than 1.1 million Coloradans now live in red zones across the state, an investigation by the independent I-News Network found.More than 1.1 million Coloradans now live in red zones across the state, an investigation by the independent I-News Network found.
In some areas, such as those to the north and west of Colorado Springs that were hit hard by the fire, about 90% of homes are in red zones.In some areas, such as those to the north and west of Colorado Springs that were hit hard by the fire, about 90% of homes are in red zones.
At the same time, wildfires are increasing across the west, because of a prolonged drought, due in part to climate change, and past land management practices.At the same time, wildfires are increasing across the west, because of a prolonged drought, due in part to climate change, and past land management practices.
Other states are experiencing a similar spike in fires in the red zone. More than 1,600 homes were lost to wildfires in Texas last year. California also has a record of heavy losses.Other states are experiencing a similar spike in fires in the red zone. More than 1,600 homes were lost to wildfires in Texas last year. California also has a record of heavy losses.
Now, some officials have warned, it could be Colorado's turn. "When you look at the example of California and some of the wildfires they have had, Colorado Springs has got it right now," said Cox.Now, some officials have warned, it could be Colorado's turn. "When you look at the example of California and some of the wildfires they have had, Colorado Springs has got it right now," said Cox.
Colorado now experiences about 2,500 fires a year, or about five times as many as 50 years ago, the investigation found.Colorado now experiences about 2,500 fires a year, or about five times as many as 50 years ago, the investigation found.
Residents are drawn to those areas, new neighbourhoods built in forested foothills like those that burnt in Colorado Springs, in large measure because of the rugged terrain.Residents are drawn to those areas, new neighbourhoods built in forested foothills like those that burnt in Colorado Springs, in large measure because of the rugged terrain.
Over the years, housing developments have climbed higher up the foothills west of Colorado Springs.Over the years, housing developments have climbed higher up the foothills west of Colorado Springs.
But the steep hills and the narrow canyons, which concentrate winds that can fan a fire, are a nightmare for firefighters.But the steep hills and the narrow canyons, which concentrate winds that can fan a fire, are a nightmare for firefighters.
Protecting homes in the red zone has grown increasingly expensive over the years – and it puts the lives of more firefighters at risk.Protecting homes in the red zone has grown increasingly expensive over the years – and it puts the lives of more firefighters at risk.
In Colorado Springs, as in other cities, fire officials have worked with home owners to try to cut down on those risks. The city banned cedar shingles, requiring new homes to be built with asphalt or tile roofs.In Colorado Springs, as in other cities, fire officials have worked with home owners to try to cut down on those risks. The city banned cedar shingles, requiring new homes to be built with asphalt or tile roofs.
Homeowners were urged to clear their property of potential fuels, by spacing out trees or sweeping up pine needles that fall to the ground.Homeowners were urged to clear their property of potential fuels, by spacing out trees or sweeping up pine needles that fall to the ground.
The city fire department carried out evacuation drills, including areas affected in the current fire. It set in place an early warning system – which by all accounts appeared to work in this week's wildfires.The city fire department carried out evacuation drills, including areas affected in the current fire. It set in place an early warning system – which by all accounts appeared to work in this week's wildfires.
Even so, fire prevention in the danger zone is slow and difficult work. Getting people to re-adjust their idea of a dream house in the mountains surrounded by forests is an immense challenge – but some firefighters argue that it is crucial.Even so, fire prevention in the danger zone is slow and difficult work. Getting people to re-adjust their idea of a dream house in the mountains surrounded by forests is an immense challenge – but some firefighters argue that it is crucial.
Cox was reluctant on Friday to touch on the issue of zoning laws, which would put stricter limits on putting houses in red-zone areas. But many fire experts believe that is what is required.Cox was reluctant on Friday to touch on the issue of zoning laws, which would put stricter limits on putting houses in red-zone areas. But many fire experts believe that is what is required.
"I personally think if you are going to live in red zone areas you should have to have defensible space," said Shane Wolfe, a firefighter who was involved in suppressing New Mexico's wildfires last month. "That beautiful deck with all those trees – it is essentially just a week to burn your house down. You should have to take responsibility if you are going to live in those areas.""I personally think if you are going to live in red zone areas you should have to have defensible space," said Shane Wolfe, a firefighter who was involved in suppressing New Mexico's wildfires last month. "That beautiful deck with all those trees – it is essentially just a week to burn your house down. You should have to take responsibility if you are going to live in those areas."
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