Boulder to Update Its Community Wildfire Protection Plan

The City of Boulder is enhancing its proactive measures to protect the community and infrastructure from wildfire hazards by contracting SWCA Environmental Consultants to develop an updated Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for 2024. The CWPP identifies wildfire risks in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), which refers to the area between wildland and human development. 

A crucial aspect of the CWPP is to recommend strategies for reducing the risk of hazardous fuels, enhancing public outreach and education, lowering the ignitability for structures, and improving fire response capabilities. Funded by Boulder’s Climate Tax, passed by voters in November 2022, the CWPP will serve as a guiding document that will assist the city and landowners in making informed decisions with respect to wildfire preparation and management. 

“This plan will help us align on our core objectives and develop strategies around the biggest risk factors related to wildfires,” said Fire Chief Michael Calderazzo. “We are eager to work with SWCA and members of the community we serve to enhance the coordination and sophistication of our preparedness and response.”

Boulder’s CWPP project Core Team, which includes dedicated experts and professionals, will recommend projects that significantly reduce wildfire risks for residents, allowing them to live more safely in the city of Boulder. During this same planning period, SWCA is also partnering with Mountain View Fire Protection District and is in the process of finalizing a partnership with Boulder County. We anticipate that these CWPP processes occurring along similar timeframes with these three agencies will help support quality collaboration and communication in our local community.

SWCA will work with city staff to build an interactive project website that combines maps and storytelling. This will be a primary means of two-way communication, allowing wildfire specialists to disseminate information and gather community input regarding this project. The site will serve as a platform for the ongoing implementation of the CWPP and allow for appropriate updates as local conditions change.  

Community feedback is essential, and community members will be invited to share their input with Boulder in several ways through the planning efforts. Details will be announced over the next few months.  

The City of Boulder remains committed to the safety and well-being of all community members, and this CWPP update represents another significant step in mitigating the risks posed by wildfires.   

About SWCA: SWCA Environmental Consultants provides a full spectrum of environmental services focused on environmental planning, permitting, and compliance; cultural, natural, and water resources management, and climate change consulting. For more information on SWCA, visit https://www.swca.com/.