Firewise Information for 2022

DISCOVERY WILDFIRE MITIGATION CHIPPING SCHEDULE 

The Wildfire Mitigation Program of the Colorado Springs Fire Department has once again scheduled two Firewise pickup weeks for Discovery (May 9-13 and October 10-14). These will provide excellent opportunities to dispose of leftover debris from this Winter's windstorm, but please remember there are specific requirements for registration as well as limits on the girth and stacking of debris (below).

There are still a lot of trees and shrubs to be trimmed and thinned or eliminated -- as well as dead trees and bushes to be removed -- before we are as safe as possible from wildfire. For instance, the number of dead pine and aspen trees in Discovery seems to be increasing, and many of them are mature enough to hang over rooflines.  Also, many neighborhood Juniper plants are now over 30 years old -- green on the outside and full of dead branches and air on the inside.  The CSFD commonly refers to these plants as "fire on a stick" and "blow torches!"

If you have such junipers in close proximity to your home, please consider removing them! They are not only a fire hazard, but also often serve as homes for rats and other less desirable wildlife neighbors.


Please keep in mind the following Chipping Program criteria: 

  • Homeowners MUST REGISTER to participate in either event (use phone number or link below) even if you have already had a consultation - please don't wait until the last minute as the CSFD may not have the resources available for your consultation!
  • Residents must have had an onsite consultation OR attended a neighborhood chipping orientation meeting in the past 5 years (Discovery last hosted one on on April 21, 2022).
  • CSFD will chip materials up to 9" in diameter; their equipment cannot accept larger debris
  • Material must be curbside by 8 AM Monday morning and will be picked up by the end of the week
  • The CSFD will not drive up and down every street looking for stray piles and will NOT return for "late stacks" or neighbors who did not register for a pickup this year
  • Debris piles must be stacked appropriately; incorrectly stacked piles will not be picked up (please see the attached flier for pile stacking guidelines). 


The Colorado Springs Fire Department attributes the success of the Wildfire Mitigation Program to the work that we all do to spread the word and support their efforts. However, they recently cautioned us that there are likely resource limitations on the horizon that would eliminate one of our Firewise chipping weeks. Some of our residents may not have discovered our website yet; some are renters who may not receive our newsletters; others may choose not to read them. Whatever the reason, we received comments in the past that some of our residents would have participated had they only known! Please ensure your neighbors are aware of this great opportunity to make their properties -- and all of Discovery -- more fire safe. Thank you!

To sign up for chipping, residents may contact the Wildfire Mitigation Program Coordinator, Melissa Hoffman, directly at (719) 385-7493 or you may sign up online at the Colorado Springs Fire Department website (use the red Submit a Request button).

Direct your Firewise questions or concerns to:

Melissa Hoffman
Wildfire Mitigation Program Coordinator
Colorado Springs Fire Department
375 Printers Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Office: (719) 385-7493
Fax: (719) 385-7334