Fire Safety in CO

Wildland fires are becoming more frequent, more intense, and faster moving due to prolonged draught and more intense weather. Since CMC operates 3,000 trips a year, many for multiple days, the risks of a CMC trip encountering a wildfire is rising. 

A Checklist for CMC Trip Leaders

Colorado wildfires are becoming more frequent, more intense, and faster moving. This checklist offers best practices to manage wildfire risk.

• Know before you go, the county and land managers’ rules, restrictions, and contact info
• Check the forecast Fire Weather Outlook
• Check for current wildfires in Western States https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
• Check forecast Air Quality Index (AQI) for your trip
• Know the forecast prevailing winds and their changes during your trip
• Plan alternate escape routes along your trail and from planned campsites
• Have a plan B if you arrive at the trailhead to find the trail closed
• Carry a satellite communicator for rescue and emergency extraction
• Know when and how to communicate with Rescue
• Know when, how, and to whom to report a new wildfire when you don’t need rescue
• Identify “Safe Spots” along the trail (a meadow, talus slope, rockslide, or tundra)
• Smelling smoke is no cause for alarm unless you see flames or a column of smoke
• How to escape a wildfire is extremely situational that requires planning and preparation
• If being overrun by a wildfire, drop your backpack and rush to a known safe spot
• When moving to a safe spot, try to stay together and in contact with Rescue
• If running from a wildfire with a dog, unleash your dog and let it fend for itself