The South Arkansas Fire Protection District (SAFPD) is pleased to announce the award of funding through the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP). This project will be completed in partnership with the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) State Wildland Inmate Fire Teams (SWIFT), bringing valuable wildfire mitigation resources directly into our District.

Through this award, SAFPD will receive 12 weeks of dedicated mitigation work from SWIFT crews to complete strategic fuel reduction projects in priority areas throughout the South Arkansas Fire Protection District.

Project Scope & Deliverables

Under the COSWAP grant, mitigation efforts will include:

• Creation of a shaded fuel break totaling 40 feet wide (20 feet on each side) along identified county road segments
• Removal of all dead and downed trees within designated treatment areas
• Chipping of all slash generated during thinning operations
• Enhancing evacuation routes to improve public safety
• Improving firefighter access and increasing containment opportunities during wildfire incidents

In addition, firewood generated from mitigation activities will be offered to local residents or transported to a designated community collection site, ensuring that usable materials directly benefit our community.

Strengthening Community Protection

The shaded fuel breaks created through this project will help slow fire spread, reduce fire intensity near roadways, and support safer evacuation and response operations. Improving access and defensible corridors along county roads plays a critical role in both public safety and firefighter effectiveness during wildfire events.

SAFPD is grateful for the support provided through the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program and for the partnership with the Department of Corrections SWIFT crews. This collaboration represents a meaningful investment in proactive wildfire mitigation and community resilience.

We look forward to the positive impact this 12-week project will have on reducing wildfire risk and enhancing safety throughout the South Arkansas Fire Protection District.