Wildfire Ready Action Plan

In late December 2024 the Middle Colorado Watershed Council released its Wildfire Ready Action Plan (WRAP)—a landmark achievement and foundational document that addresses both wildfire risks and mitigation opportunities across the watershed from Glenwood Canyon to De Beque. Two years in the making, this plan was driven by the growing urgency of wildfire threats in Colorado, amplified by devastating fires in 2020, including the Grizzly Creek and Pine Gulch fires. Recognizing the need for proactive regional solutions, MCWC spearheaded a multijurisdictional effort called the Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative (CRWC). One of the priorities the CRWC identified was the need for the WRAP.

“The WRAP is more than just a plan—it’s a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Doug Winter, MCWC board president. “Bringing together more than 30 partners to tackle wildfire mitigation demonstrates our region’s commitment to protecting homes, communities and natural resources.”

The WRAP stands out as an unprecedented example of voluntary cooperation, uniting municipalities, fire districts, land management agencies and community groups. These partners worked together to assess vulnerabilities, identify urgent priorities and outline actionable strategies such as fuels reduction, defensible space creation and debris management. The WRAP is an important planning and resource document that is timely now and will be relevant for decades to come.

This effort was modeled on the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Wildfire Ready Watersheds Program and builds on MCWC’s leadership in addressing watershed-scale challenges. By fostering partnerships through initiatives like the Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative, the MCWC ensured seamless coordination across jurisdictions, overcoming traditional barriers to wildfire preparedness.

To provide accessible tools for the community, the WRAP is paired with an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap, enabling users to explore data and strategies in detail. Supplemental information comes from Garfield County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan, the Colorado Wildfire Risk Assessment and local emergency response and wildfire experts. This information has been compiled into this online GIS map, which shows the crossover between the many variables.

Made possible by a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and developed by SGM Engineering, the WRAP represents the collaboration and input of more than 30 organizations.