FCFES Wildland

Wildland Banner

Wildland team members at the Hayman fire

From the early days of (Camp Carson) to modern times, wildfires have played a significant role to the installation and the troops we support. The devastating wildfire of 1950 that destroyed a large portion of the Mountain Post and cost the lives of 7 soldiers defending the installation resulted in aggressive changes to the FCFES wildland program. A highly effective prescribed burn program, continual training, and mutual aid agreements are continuously evolving to meet the needs of our troops.

With the responsibility of wildland fire protection on Fort Carson’s 138,000 acres and the 250,000 acre Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site location 150 miles south of the main installation, well trained and dedicated personnel are essential in ensuring safe and effective results. FCFES personnel are trained at a national level that meets the new DOD Wildland Fire Policy. The installation also has entered into agreements with Local, State and Federal agencies to assist in combating wildfires in the now decade long drought of the West.

A UH-60 Blackhawk drops water on a range fire

A sign designates a prescribed burn area

Our Prescribed Fire Program has benefited the installation by reducing the threat of unwanted wildfires in the small and large arms range areas by reducing the amount of accumulated vegetation. This ensures that military training can continue without the loss of valuable training time and the shut down of units waiting for fires to be suppressed. This also reduces the possibility of a large wildfire escaping the boundary of the installation. Over the years this program has saved the installation millions of dollars in lost time and resources.

Sunset through an inversion layer

Wildland Photo Gallery

Other Links:

Fort Carson Home Page Army Home Page Residential Communities Initiative (RCI) Web Site

This Web Site was last updated on 02 April 2007