Even when there are no active wildfires in the immediate area (knock on wood), we often still
find ourselves affected through diminished air quality. Haziness is an indicator that you might
want to check the air quality and modify your activities accordingly.

Whether you spend time outdoors working or recreating, it’s important to understand the problems associated with poor air quality and the modifications to your routine that should be considered. Routt County’s AirQuality webpage and the county’s Department of Environmental Health have a number of resources to help residents understand, evaluate and react to current conditions.

Smoke in the air is a reminder that we may only be a lightning strike, stray cigarette butt or unextinguished campfire away from a wildfire in the Yampa Valley. In addition to having a smoke plan, there are other precautions and strategies that are much easier to organize today than when it’s time to evacuate.

First, make sure everyone in a household is registered for Routt County Alerts. This is how the County’s emergency management team will communicate with in the event of an approaching wildfire.

Second, have a plan. Create a list of things that would be difficult to live without: passports, birth certificates, smaller heirlooms, etc. Pack a “go-bag” with those items not used on a regular basis and keep that list of other considerations handy.

Don’t forget about those who rely on you most — your children, elderly family members, pets and livestock. Develop a plan for evacuation that includes them.

Lastly, communicate. Talk it through with members of your household and neighbors who might need a little help, or who might help you.

Keep an eye out for Red Flag Warnings — these indicate that conditions are ripe for ignition and a potentially fast-moving event. It’s always smart to keep grasses mowed down to four inches or less within thirty feet of any structures or key assets — homes, outbuildings, barns, fuel tanks and agricultural equipment. Grass fires move quickly, so disrupting their path by minimizing available fuel can make all the difference.

We’re grappling with a lot of wildfire nationally right now. That means fire-fighting resources may be limited and not as responsive as hoped. Being prepared and vigilant is something that can be controlled, and it costs very little.

Visit RouttWildfire.org for more information and resources that can help with preparation. Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council also offers a number of programs for the benefit of landowners, neighborhoods, HOA’s and individual residents alike.

We’ve all chosen to live among this beautiful landscape. Each of us bears responsibility in acknowledging the threat of wildfire and taking steps to minimize risk to ourselves, our communities and our first responders.

Josh Hankes is the executive director for the Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council