NoFloCo is more than fire mitigating. It is building community,
healing people, and making human connections.
A brief history
Don and Toni Moore of Indian Creek Subdivision started the grassroots, all volunteer, fire mitigation organization October of 2019 with the help of Indian Creek Property Owners Association.
As part of the Colorado Forest-Ag Management Program, they have been fire mitigating their property since 2005. "Folks who visit us know something is different about our property, but they cannot always put their finger on what," said Don Moore. "When we point out that all the ladder fuel (dead lower branches and other debris in the understory) has been removed, the questions start. People want to know why we have done it, and how we did it."
Realizing there was a desire for hands-on learning about fire mitigation to improve and protect private property and enhance forest health, Moore put together what he now calls NoFloCo (North Florissant, Colorado) Fire Mitigation Posse. "Our volunteers learn pretty quickly that it is not complicated, and can be very satisfying and fun. We grow with each event; time in the forest working with others is addictive," said Moore.
The NoFloCo Fire Mitigation Posse has been a quick and overwhelming success. They see new faces and more volunteers at each event. Approximately four acres of heavily forested property is mitigated and more than 2 cords of firewood is harvested and delivered to neighbors for free at each workday. Not only has the group gained momentum in their efforts, but CORE Electric Association, state representatives, and Gov. Jared Polis have recognized and praised the work of the group.
With years of experience removing standing dead trees, identifying diseased trees, eliminating ladder fuel, and burning slash piles, the Moores have devised many labor saving, forest preserving short cuts. "Burning in snowy conditions and making hiking trails through the property are a smart way to go," he says. "Trails create access for firefighter brush trucks should a wildfire come through, and delineate spots for slash burning. Burning sterilizes the ground under the burn, and nothing will grow in the burned area for a long time. We have learned that burning on a trail preserves the natural beauty of the forest, makes for less work carrying limbs and debris, and improves access to all parts of the property. Burning slash after a snow event means the fire will be easy to control," added Moore.
The Moores have innovated and created systems to make private property more lovely and more safe. Their innovative approach varies from some of the "landscape scale" practices of the Forestry Department, to appeal to private property owners, while still improving Wildland Urban Interface and keeping homes, neighborhoods, and infrastructure safer.
Now with the help of many valuable volunteers, NoFloCo has become a force for good in the neighborhoods of Teller County. Community spirit, friendships, positive self esteem, safer homes, neighborhoods, and fire departments are just a few of the important benefits NoFloCo brings to Teller.
Support of NoFloCo by community member:
I first learned about NoFloCo from my neighbors who had Don and Toni Moore come to their house and evaluate their property for fire mitigation. Once I heard how a group of people came out for FREE and helped get rid of forest debris plus other fuel that would feed a wildfire, I wanted to be a part of this group.
I attended a work session where I was on “stick pickup.” The welcoming atmosphere and camaraderie of this group of people was contagious! I loved being outside and doing something helpful and worthwhile for others. It made me very happy to see people working together for a common goal – to help save our neighborhoods from burning down as a result of wildfires. To see the gratitude and thankfulness of the homeowners was even more rewarding. Most of the homeowners we have helped either can’t do most of the work themselves, or they can’t afford to pay thousands of dollars to have professionals come out and mitigate their property.
I have been fortunate to attend (thanks to a grant that Toni obtained) the Colorado Fire Camp in Salida where I received, for free, 32 hours of basic training: S-130 Firefighter Training, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, and L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service. During this course, we were able to learn about how wildfires move and spread as well as how to shelter ourselves in case we were caught in the middle of a wildfire. The field day and shelter deployment were incredibly useful!
The best part of NoFloCo for me is the training, helping others in the area with clearing their properties of ladder fuel and dead trees, and making new friends. Plus, some mighty fine cooks provide food after we complete a project while we have a summary meeting of what was accomplished. It feels great to be part of such a positive, helpful organization, and I am honored and blessed to be a member of the NoFloCo Fire Mitigation Posse.
I am extremely distressed by the recent “cease and desist” order by “Fire Marshall” Mikesell banning the group’s work in Teller County. I don’t understand why he is so against something helpful, beneficial for many, and healthy for our homes and neighborhoods. Not being able to get outside and being productive by helping others protect their homes is a very low blow for me. It’s almost like being shot for no reason. I would strongly encourage Sheriff or Fire Marshall Mikesell to attend a NoFloCo activity and see for himself the good this group is doing instead of shutting us down without even knowing the scope and sequence of our activities.
Jody A. Rodine, Florissant
