The human-caused Spring Creek Fire began on June 27, 2018, burning over 108,000 acres - the third largest fire in Colorado's recorded history. The fire was destructive to property, destroying 216 homes and damaging 119 other structures. The fire burned in Southern Colorado, in the mountainous region between the towns of Fort Garland and La Veta in Costilla and Huerfano Counties. The fire burned on 85,942 acres of state and private lands, 12,226 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and 9,837 acres managed by the US. Forest Service on the San Carlos Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests.
The Cucharas and Indian Creek watersheds, which serve the communities of La Veta and Walsenburg, were heavily burned and impaired by the Spring Creek Fire. The USFS manages headwater lands - the upper sections of these watersheds - within the burned area. Post-fire flooding is expected to continue to impact local communities below the burn scar.
In preparation for the expected flooding, local groups, agencies, and partners formed a Recovery Multi-Agency Coordination (RMAC) Team to focus on critical emergency responses needed to protect life and property. RMAC members include USFS, BLM and Natural Resource Conservation Service, Huerfano County, the towns of La Veta and Walsenburg, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Huerfano County Water Conservancy District, Colorado Department of Homeland Security Emergency Management, Colorado Department of Transportation, Coalitions and Collaboratives, Inc, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey. Significant work has already been done by the RMAC, including clearing stream channels and debris removal along stream channels. RMAC continues to collaboratively assess the risks, identify funding opportunities, and prioritize implementation of treatments. Response to post-fire effects is expected to last at least 10 year post-fire.. Funding shortages present obstacles, and any additional funding that becomes available will be worked into localy-identified priority treatment areas and leveraged with partner dollars to maximize positive impact of the work.
The Cucharas and Indian Creek watersheds, which serve the communities of La Veta and Walsenburg, were heavily burned and impaired by the Spring Creek Fire. The USFS manages headwater lands - the upper sections of these watersheds - within the burned area. Post-fire flooding is expected to continue to impact local communities below the burn scar.
In preparation for the expected flooding, local groups, agencies, and partners formed a Recovery Multi-Agency Coordination (RMAC) Team to focus on critical emergency responses needed to protect life and property. RMAC members include USFS, BLM and Natural Resource Conservation Service, Huerfano County, the towns of La Veta and Walsenburg, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Huerfano County Water Conservancy District, Colorado Department of Homeland Security Emergency Management, Colorado Department of Transportation, Coalitions and Collaboratives, Inc, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey. Significant work has already been done by the RMAC, including clearing stream channels and debris removal along stream channels. RMAC continues to collaboratively assess the risks, identify funding opportunities, and prioritize implementation of treatments. Response to post-fire effects is expected to last at least 10 year post-fire.. Funding shortages present obstacles, and any additional funding that becomes available will be worked into localy-identified priority treatment areas and leveraged with partner dollars to maximize positive impact of the work.
LOCAL CONTACTS
La Veta Fire District
719 742 3656
La Veta Marshall
719 742 3344
Huerfano County Sheriff
719 738-1044
Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center
719 738 5100
https://sprhc.org
Town of La Veta
719 742 3631
www.townoflaveta-co.gov
La Veta Fire District
719 742 3656
La Veta Marshall
719 742 3344
Huerfano County Sheriff
719 738-1044
Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center
719 738 5100
https://sprhc.org
Town of La Veta
719 742 3631
www.townoflaveta-co.gov