#COFire 101: Be Informed

We have a saying in Colorado, “if you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change.”  This phenomena allows us to brag about having 300 days of sunshine but it also brings home the reality that our weather can change at a moment’s notice.  Within the context of wildfires this phenomena can create a potentially deadly scenario.  You can prevent this scenario from developing simply by taking proactive steps to be informed.

• #COFire 101 Tip: Know before you go: Colorado Weather.
  • The National Weather Service does an excellent job of sharing up to the moment information.  
  • Before you head out check the current weather forecast at www.weather.gov. (link is external)
  • If you are on Twitter you can follow this list to get updates from all of the NWS stations in Colorado:http://bit.ly/(link is external)COtNWS(link is external). 
  • If you are on Facebook you can use this list: http://bit.ly/(link is external)FBNWS(link is external)
• #COFire 101 Tip: Know before you go: Fire Risk and Fire Weather.
  • The National Weather Service regularly posts information on Fire Weather. 
  • Add this site to your list of places to check out each morning: NWS Storm Prediction Center(link is external)
•  #COFire 101 Tip: Know your risk.
  • You can use this tool from the Colorado State Forest Service to discover your current fire risk:http://www.coloradowildfirerisk.com/(link is external)
• #COFire 101 Tip: Know your fire restrictions/bans. 
  • Seek out the most up to date information from your local agencies. 
  • Use this list and map to see if your county has any active bans or restrictions:http://bit.ly/(link is external)COFireRules(link is external)
• #CoFire 101 Tip: Know where to get information. 
  • Your local emergency response agencies are likely the best source for real time, on the ground information. 
  • Make sure you know where to go to find information from your local agencies. 
  • Don’t know where to go for information? Use this list of websites to get started:http://www.coemergency.com/p/local-info-sources.html(link is external). 
  • If you are on twitter you can follow this list of emergency response/government agencies:http://bit.ly/(link is external)TCOGovt(link is external)
  • If you are on Facebook you can follow this list of emergency response/government agencies:http://bit.ly/(link is external)FBCOGovt(link is external)

View the complete Are you READYColorado #COFire 101 blog mini-series!