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Wildland Fire Management

Firefighter standing in front of a forest fire

Wildland fire management in Colorado is a cooperative, interagency partnership between local, county, state, tribal, and federal entities.  As the lead state agency for fire, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Wildland Fire Management Section (WFMS) works with local, state, and federal agencies to coordinate wildland fire management on a statewide basis.

DFPC's priority wildland fire mission is to assist and support local agencies and counties with a range of wildfire management programs including administrative, technical, preparedness and planning, funding, response, and prescribed fire functions.  Another key role of WFMS is to coordinate with external partners and represent the State of Colorado at Regional and National levels.   

Programs 

How Wildfire Works in Colorado 

Wildfire protection responsibilities on non-federal lands in Colorado follow a hierarchy of local jurisdiction, to County Sheriff, and finally to the State of Colorado: The Chief of a Fire Protection District is responsible for fires that occur within the boundaries of his or her district, and that are within their capability to manage. 

It is the duty of the County Sheriff to assume the responsibility for coordinating fire suppression efforts for: fires that occur in the unincorporated area of the county; or for fires that exceed the capabilities of a fire protection district.  Reference C.R.S. 30-10-513(1)(a).

When a wildfire exceeds the capability of the county to control or extinguish, the Sheriff shall request assistance from DFPC (C.R.S. 30-10-513(1)(d)).  The Director of DFPC  may assume any duty or responsibility given to the Sheriff, with concurrence of the Sheriff (C.R.S. 30-10-513(2))

Click here to learn about State Assistance and State Responsibility Fires

Fire Management Regions and Staff

Click here to get in contact with your District or Battalion Chief

Wildland Fire Logistics Branch

The Wildland Fire Logistics Branch (WFLB) manages and executes logistics operations focused on the requirements of the Division of Fire Prevention & Control.

Click here to get in contact with or learn more about the WFLB.

Wildland Resource Unit

Click here to be routed to DFPCs Resource Unit page including information on Colorado Coordinated Regional Mutual Aid System (CCRMAS), Colorado Resource Mobilization Update and Overview, ClickUp, and WIN.

DFPC Resource Branch Quick Reference Sheet

Fire Billing: CRRF and Reimbursement

Visit the Colorado Fire Billing System page to download documents needed for reimbursement and Colorado Resource Rate Forms (CRRF) and Guidelines.

Prescribed Fire Planning & Implementation

Learn about DFPC's Colorado Prescribed Fire program and the Certified Burner Program.

Incident Qualifications Systems (IQS)

The Incident Qualification System (IQS) is a web-based software computer program to document qualifications, training, physical fitness levels, and experience of wildland firefighters.

CO-WIMS: Colorado Wildfire Information Management System

Colorado Wildfire Information Management System (CO-WIMS) is a web-based decision-support system that is: accessible to designated personnel on desktop and laptop computers, tablet,devices, and smartphones.

Response Assets: Aviation, Ground and Technical Support

Learn about DFPC’s wildfire and all-hazard assets, including aerial and ground resources

Media & Public Inquiries

Contact DFPC's Wildland Fire Management Communications & Outreach Specialist

Weekly Fire Environment/Weather Brief

The DFPC Fire Intelligence Unit prepares a weekly Fire Environment/Weather Brief 
each Monday morning
 

Click here to view this week's brief

Additional Information

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