While various state and federal agencies brace themselves for another potentially active (and costly) wildfire season, Colorado officials are finding that it is essential to look back in order to truly move forward in disaster planning.
Having conducted a formal review of the city's response to the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, Colorado Springs released a report that mostly praises agencies' efforts while pointing out a few glitches along the way.
The city's final review, which was released Wednesday, April 3, asserts that first responders reacted in an "incredibly professional and heroic manner" to the June 2012 Waldo Canyon fire, which broke out on the northwest side of Colorado Springs.
Authorities concluded the fire was "human-caused" and pinpointed where it began but have not yet determined whether the blaze was intentionally set. The investigation is ongoing, and a reward of up to $100,000 is being offered for information about the culprit's identity.
Regardless of its origin, the massive fire destroyed 347 houses—one more than previously estimated—while triggering insurance claims of $353 million. In terms of disaster response, the 100-page report acknowledges the tremendous efforts of Colo. police and firefighters, who evacuated 26,000 people in just one day. Because of their quick, decisive action, 82 percent of area homes were spared from the aggressive fire.
In providing a balanced assessment, the report emphasized areas for improvement, as well. Among the recommendations outlined are more advanced disaster training for first responders, expanded police presence to prevent residential burglaries during catastrophe, and better inter-agency communication and coordination.
Specifically, the report stressed the need for improved notification protocols and more clearly defined evacuation zones.
Aside from wildfires, hailstorms generate significant losses in Colorado. In 1990, such a storm battered the Denver area, causing more than $1 billion in damages (when adjusted for inflation). That hailstorm remains the costliest catastrophe in Colorado history, and hailstorms in general have been a major factor in the uptick in homeowners' insurance premiums.
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