Archives: Communities
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Flagstaff, Arizona
Located in midst of the world’s largest stand of ponderosa pine trees, Flagstaff, Arizona has long been aware of the threat of catastrophic wildfires. Local leaders have advocated for stewardship and management of the region’s forests for decades to reduce hazardous fuels and protect critical watersheds. The CPAW team visited Flagstaff and worked with city […]
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Gunnison County, Colorado
Located in the middle of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Gunnison County is known for its natural amenities and recreational opportunities. Drawn by the forests, open space, and scenery, people have increasingly moved to the county’s more rural areas and its wildland-urban interface (WUI). Development is particularly being driven by second home ownership and retirees, with 68% […]
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Huerfano County, Colorado
In 2013, the East Peak Fire burned in the steep canyons of the Spanish Peaks in the southern part of Huerfano County, forcing the evacuation of a Boy Scout camp and dozens of homes while putting the entire City of Walsenburg on pre-evacuation notice. The fire burned more than 13,000 acres and Huerfano County suffered […]
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La Plata County, Colorado
La Plata County, located in southwest Colorado, is characterized by a diverse geography of mountains, forests, and grasslands. The San Juan National Forest stretches across much of the northern part of the county, offering extensive outdoor and recreational opportunities. As such, the county seat of Durango has become a destination for retirees, second home owners, […]
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Lewis & Clark County, Montana
When a large smoke column rose from the Scratch Gravel Hills in the northern part of the Helena Valley in June of 2012, it could be seen from the Montana State Capitol in downtown Helena. When the fire was contained days later, 200 firefighters had responded, four homes had been lost and another 30 damaged. […]
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Los Alamos County, New Mexico
Los Alamos, New Mexico is surrounded by fire-adapted forest ecosystems and has experienced significant wildfires. The 47,000-acre Cerro Grande Fire began in May 2000 when changing winds carried embers from a prescribed burn across the fire line. Approximately 18,000 people—the entire populations of Los Alamos and White Rock—were evacuated. The fire spread rapidly over the […]
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Los Angeles County, California
Since 1933, four of the top 20 deadliest wildfires in California have been located in Los Angeles County. Since 2007, wildland fires burned over 300,000 acres and destroyed nearly 650 residences in the county. In 2018, the Woolsey Fire burned 96,949 acres across two counties, destroyed 1,121 residential and commercial structures and damaged another 189 […]
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Mammoth Lakes, California
The town of Mammoth Lakes, California is the county’s primary employment and services center and its ski resort, Mammoth Mountain, is a regional destination. During ski season, the population can increase five-fold. At 8,000 feet in elevation, the community is surrounded by forest land. Mammoth Lakes also serves as a gateway to Inyo National Forest […]
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Mariposa County, California
Communities in Mariposa County, California have been repeatedly impacted by wildfires over the years. Situated adjacent to Yosemite National Park, the county is characterized by dense forests and sprawling chaparral. Since 2001, nearly 60 percent of the county land area has burned. In 2017, the Detwiler Fire burned more than 81,000 acres in Mariposa County […]
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Medford, Oregon
Medford lies within the Rogue Valley which is located in southwestern Oregon. Communities within the valley are intertwined with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, forest lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Oregon Department of Forestry, as well as many privately owned and maintained lands. Large wildfires are a common occurrence in southwest […]