Living with Wildfire in the
San Luis Valley
Wildfire, Watersheds, & Our Changing Community

Heritage and Communities

We are home to the oldest permanent settlement in Colorado, and have a rich cultural history. Humans have occupied the valley for more than 11,000 years, and today our communities are diverse and close-knit, rooted in family, spirituality, and stewardship of the land.

Natural Landscapes

Nestled between the San Juans and the Sangre de Christo mountains, the San Luis is the largest alpine valley in the U.S. Water is central to our way of life, with Colorado’s oldest water rights and acequias making our valley fertile and productive.

Wildfire Poses Threats

Our watersheds, cultural heritage, and quality of life are at-risk to the increased threat of wildfire. Across the western U.S., wildfires are getting bigger, starting earlier and burning longer. Wildfires destroy structures, impact businesses and tourism, and damage infrastructure like roads and power lines.

Residential growth adds to our risk

The risk of wildfires is compounded by our growing communities. Places where wildfire risk and homes intermingle or meet is called the wildland-urban interface (WUI), and most homes in the San Luis Valley are in the WUI.

Land Cover Influences Fire Risk

The San Luis Valley has several dominant land cover types. This land cover variability strongly influences fire behavior.

Living with wildfire

As we grow, protecting our homes, communities, and water from wildfires will become more vital. We can take steps now to make our communities safer.

Learn more

• Use this checklist to reduce the risk at your home. Discover how to make the most vulnerable portions of your home wildfire-resistant, including your deck, roof, and landscaping.

• Check for current fire information with SLV Emergency.

• Read about living with wildfire in Colorado’s communities.

• The RWEACT organization brings together people and organizations of the San Luis Valley to develop an effective, coordinated approach for immediate actions addressing fire-caused hazards.

Contact Information

Colorado State Forest Service
Alamosa Field Office
719-587-0915

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control
San Luis Valley Region Office
719-464-5345

Alamosa County
Land Use & Building Department
719-589-3812

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Updated October, 2018