Waldo Canyon Researchers: New Firefighting Approach Needed
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — A study of the 2012 Waldo Canyon wildfire recommends that crews fighting similar fires that spread into urban areas be trained in both structure protection and traditional wildland firefighting tactics.
The Gazette reported Tuesday that the study found dual-trained fire crews saved dozens of homes in the ember storms that descended on Colorado Springs neighborhoods. U.S. Forest Service firefighters were trained to protect structures, and city firefighters were trained to extinguish grassfires.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology released the report on the June 2012 fire that killed two people and destroyed 347 homes.
Wildfire Resources
- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.
Wildfire Photo Galleries
- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.
(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)