We need serious action plans to detect wildfires

I was glad to see Bart Windrum’s guest opinion in the May 3 Camera.

I am equally concerned about Boulder’s management approach to protecting Boulder from wildfires entering the City. Finding and rapidly extinguishing a small fire before it becomes an out-of-control monster needs more than wishful thinking. I have advocated for this to OSMP and Council.

A few months ago, the head of Open Space, Dan Burke, told me that they receive notification of dangerous weather conditions from the County and he distributes the alert to his staff. I asked him what specific actions the staff do in response. I am still waiting for his action plan. I have made numerous presentations to OSMP on the early detection and rapid extinguishing of a fire. I have also distributed my concerns and presentations to Council. Only one council member responded and did not follow up.

The County is experimenting with visible and IR cameras. We are still waiting to hear the results of their experiments. I am not optimistic that either of these systems will solve the “human ignition deterrence” problem. Our best solution is feet on the ground. During the day, the number of people hiking our open space with cell phones provides for fast fire detection. The problem is at night. We need our Open Space staff on fire patrol walking our wildland/urban interface (the Yellow Line). That should be the first item in Dan Burke’s action plan.

While I support Bart’s yellow line and Wildfire Summit, we need serious action plans to detect wildfires early.

— Alan Delamere, Boulder