Highway 72 Emergency Evacuation Mitigation Outreach Meeting - May 18, 2026
- rebeccafisher41
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Community members, property owners, and project partners recently gathered to discuss a proposed wildfire mitigation project along Colorado Highway 72 in Coal Creek Canyon.
Highway 72 serves as one of the community's primary evacuation and emergency response routes. The proposed project is exploring opportunities to reduce wildfire risk along the corridor through strategic vegetation management that could improve evacuation safety, firefighter access, and overall community resilience.
During the meeting, project partners shared preliminary maps of priority areas, discussed potential treatment approaches, and answered questions from residents. Discussions focused on how roadside mitigation can help reduce continuous fuels along the corridor while balancing landowner goals, forest health, aesthetics, and community values.
The project remains in the planning phase. No work will occur on private property without landowner permission, and participation in any future mitigation efforts will be entirely voluntary. Before any implementation can occur, project partners will continue coordinating with landowners, utility providers, local governments, fire agencies, and other stakeholders. Additional work is also needed to refine treatment areas, develop site-specific recommendations, and identify funding opportunities.
One of the most valuable outcomes of the meeting was the opportunity to hear directly from residents. Questions and feedback from community members will help inform future planning efforts and ensure that any proposed treatments reflect local priorities and concerns.
For those unable to attend, the meeting presentation and project maps are available below. Additional resources, including the Community Ambassador Directory are also available for residents interested in becoming more involved in local wildfire mitigation efforts and Community Wildfire Protection Plan implementation.
This project is still in the early stages, and there will be additional opportunities for community involvement as planning progresses. Residents interested in learning more, sharing feedback, or discussing their property are encouraged to contact cwppforccc@gmail.com.
Together, collaborative planning and proactive mitigation can help strengthen Coal Creek Canyon's resilience to future wildfires while supporting safer evacuation routes and emergency response capabilities.