Wildfire Risk Reduction Training for Neighborhoods – Free

Thursdays 2/19-3/26, 6-8 p.m. on Zoom for El Paso County residents. Live virtual sessions (computer or tablet with internet required). Fire Adapted Colorado (FACO) is offering a free six-week Wildfire Neighborhood Ambassador Orientation designed to help residents better understand wildfire risk and take practical, neighborhood-level action. The course focuses on home hardening, defensible space, evacuation planning, and community coordination key elements for wildfire resilience in both the High Plains and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). Geographic breakout rooms will allow local instructors to tailor information specifically to El Paso County conditions and help neighbors connect with one another. The class is offered at no cost this spring thanks to an anonymous donor covering administrative expenses.

• Practical wildfire risk reduction strategies – Learn how to harden homes, manage vegetation, and reduce ignition risks using proven, science-based methods.
• Improved evacuation and preparedness planning – Gain tools to develop household and neighborhood evacuation plans that improve safety and reduce confusion during wildfire events.
• Stronger Neighborhood Coordination – Learn how to organize neighbors, plan workdays, and build shared responsibility for wildfire mitigation.
• Locally relevant guidance
• Direct connections to fire professionals and peers – Participants build relationships with fire service representatives and other residents committed to wildfire resilience.Topics
  2/19: Mitigation 101 (required for new ambassadors)
  2/26: The Human Aspect – motivating neighbors to take action
  3/5: Home Hardening & Home Ignition Zone 1
  3/12: Fuels & Vegetation Management – Zones 2 & 3
  3/19: Household & Community Planning
  3/26: Planning Neighborhood Workdays

Register at https://forms.fillout.com/t/mMhLEFrJqHus or write to LHatfield7831@gmail.com with questions.