In a collaborative effort that has benefitted communities and young individuals alike, Wildfire Partners has successfully concluded its 2024 partnership with TEENS, Inc. Youth Corps. This summer’s initiative saw local youth providing free wildfire mitigation services to various Boulder County residents, demonstrating the power of community-based conservation programs. According to Boulder County, ten homeowners and two mobile home parks received much-needed assistance in bolstering their defenses against potentially devastating wildfires.
Peggy Kuhn from the Sans Souci Manufactured Home Community praised the youth crews for their efforts. "They immensely helped make Sans Souci, a park of 85 plus residents, half of these seniors, a more fire-safe place. Being one block west from the start of the Marshall Fire, it also helps reduce the risk of a similar event occurring," she said, as per Boulder County. These mitigation efforts are particularly poignant as they come in the wake of the devastating Marshall Fire, which highlighted the ever-pressing need for such community measures.
Further underscoring this need, the crews spent three weeks in July working on properties affected by the Marshall Fire, clearing hazardous vegetation and creating noncombustible gravel barriers. Dave Crawford, a community member who lost his home in the blaze, commended the teens for their professionalism. "I was fortunate enough to work with [Wildfire Partners] and the TEENS, Inc. Youth Corps… the teens were communicative, respectful, and hard-working," Crawford stated, as reported by Boulder County. These initiatives were supported by a donation from Colorado Materials Inc., which enabled the construction of gravel barriers to enhance the wildfire resiliency of homes being rebuilt.
The collaboration also extended to aiding the local Fourmile Fire Department in creating a critical fuel break and taking on mitigation duties at the Wall Street fire station. Such projects are instrumental for a community with a history of wildfire catastrophes dating back to the Fourmile Canyon Fire of 2010, which resulted in the loss of 169 homes. On top of providing significant community services, the youth also received the opportunity to grow professionally. Crew member Key, aged 19, remarked on their personal development: "This summer, I was able to visit and learn about communities I hadn't interacted with before... Wildfire Partners provided me with several different opportunities to take charge and lead the crew, which greatly helped develop my skills in leadership. Now, I’m excited to take those skills and apply them to a career focused on environmental justice," Key shared, as noted by Boulder County.
