The Year of 2020 has had its share of challenges. As our nation battled the COVID-19 virus, Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District’s wildland firefighters also had their hands full of challenges with some of the largest forest fires in Colorado’s history. The crew and engines were deployed throughout the state with the exceptionally dry Summer and Fall conditions. The firefighters dispatched on 13 fires this season for rolls up to 14 consecutive workdays each, often working 16 hours shifts each day. Due to the vast number of fires burning concurrently in the state, the firefighters put in shifts beyond that length at the Cameron Peak Fire with shifts working an 32 hour shift followed by an 24 hour shift with containment efforts. Our engines were out at some of the largest fires in the state, including the Pine Gulch Fire, the Cameron Peak Fire and the East Troublesome Fire. In addition, BMFPD had engine and crew out helping neighboring western states with fires in Northern California in the early season. Many homeowners in our district are also well aware of the threat faced in October of this year as our firefighters and department battled fires in Boulder County with the Lefthand Fire, west of our district and the Calwood Fire, north of our district. BMFPD had crew helping with evacuation within a portion of our district, structure prep for homes within the district and 24/7 Surveilance from key lookout spots for any advancement of the two Boulder County fires threatening our district. The snow in late October was a welcome sight although the district needs to remain vigilant as the dry conditions remain leaving continued risk for wildfire. Fingers crossed, we will have ample snowfall this winter.
