"The goal is to improve overall fire safety and reduce the fuel load on Cedar Hill, making the area more resilient in the face of potential wildfires."
Delta County, Colo., September 16, 2024 — Fire mitigation efforts will resume on the Cedar Hill property, owned by the Town of Paonia, starting October 28, 2024, and are expected to continue through Thanksgiving. This critical project, led by the Western Colorado Conservation Corps, is funded by the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP) through the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The project aims to reduce fire risk to both the town and essential infrastructure, such as the cellular communication tower located at the summit of Cedar Hill.
The 25.91-acre property overlooking Paonia is a key piece of the community’s landscape. The fire mitigation work will focus on thinning piñon and juniper trees, removing dead or dying trees, and clearing along the access road to the cell tower. This effort is crucial to ensuring easy access to the tower and reducing the risk of fire spreading to the town or the communication infrastructure, which is vital for local residents.
Work will include:
- Removal of dead or dying trees across the property
- Thinning trees along the access road to the cell tower
- Chipping trees and spreading chips no more than 4 inches deep across the project area
- Piling larger trees and limbs for removal and pile burning off-site
The goal is to improve overall fire safety and reduce the fuel load on Cedar Hill, making the area more resilient in the face of potential wildfires. Residents may notice increased activity in the area during the mitigation efforts and are encouraged to remain clear of work zones for their safety.
This project continues the fire mitigation work that began in 2023 and is part of a larger effort to safeguard the community and its critical infrastructure. The COSWAP funding has been instrumental in moving this project forward, ensuring that resources are available to protect Paonia from wildfire risks.
For more information, please visit the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP), Western Colorado Conservation Corps, and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.
Delta County, Colorado | Contact Delta County | 970-874-2100
Delta County Colorado | 560 DODGE ST | DELTA, CO 81416 US