The South Arkansas Fire Protection District (SAFPD) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Chaffee County Envision Grant, aimed at supporting critical wildfire mitigation work across the district. This funding will bolster ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk and increase community resilience in one of Colorado’s most fire-prone regions.

The Envision Chaffee County Grant, which focuses on protecting forests, watersheds, and communities through collaborative, locally-led initiatives, will be directed specifically toward wildfire mitigation activities within the SAFPD’s jurisdiction.

As part of this initiative, the South Arkansas Fire Protection District is partnering with Colorado Firecamp, a respected leader in wildland fire training and mitigation strategies. Colorado Firecamp will work closely with SAFPD to lead, supervise, and train field crews in effective mitigation techniques and safety practices.

The grant will enable deployment of trained crews from the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) and National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC)—a program under AmeriCorps. These teams will assist in implementing on-the-ground mitigation projects, including fuels reduction, defensible space preparation around homes, and hazardous vegetation removal in strategic areas identified by SAFPD.

• Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a regional conservation service program that engages young adults in environmental stewardship through hands-on fieldwork and community service.
• National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a national service program under AmeriCorps that deploys young adults, ages 18–26, to support disaster response, environmental conservation, and community development across the U.S.

The mitigation work supported by this grant will begin in the coming weeks and continue throughout the fall season. SAFPD encourages residents to stay informed, participate in local preparedness efforts, and take advantage of defensible space assessments and resources offered through the district.