Former Assistant Chief, Cash House, takes a new position as Wildland Coordinator in Ridgeway, Colorado. We wish him all the best and thank him for his fifteen years of deeply dedicated service. Brian Schuller, Captain of the Wall Street Company, steps in as Four Mile’s new Assistant Chief. Brian brings great skills in communication and community relationships. As well as flood, fire and evacuation (both personal and family) experience. 

When long-time volunteer Fire Chief Bret Gibson wanted to retire from his career with Via Mobility, he asked the fire board for some help.  He will remain as our volunteer fire chief, with the same duties as the last 24 years. Many of those roles have been well beyond that of a small district fire chief, such as serving as the president of the Boulder County Firefighters Association for 20 plus years, being a member of the Boulder County ambulance contract compliance committee, working with the Sheriff's office, Board of County Commissioners, USFS, Rescue groups, State legislators and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. The Chief has helped facilitate many positive changes in the county. Recognizing the value this has provided not only the Four Mile Fire community but the county as a whole. Wishing to have him continue this beneficial community work, the Board offered to compensate the Chief by providing some of the same benefits the paid crew receives. Mainly health insurance. 

We hired six seasonal crewmembers to work on large-scale mitigation projects, provide fee-for-service mitigation work for community members, attend wildland fire and medical skills trainings, and were dispatched on local, state, and national wildland fire incidents. We are proud of our seasonal crewmembers for all their hard work over the spring, summer, and fall!

The Boulder West Wildfire Authority (BWWA) is established following a collaborative Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) effort between Four Mile, Sunshine, Sugarloaf, and Gold Hill Fire Protection Districts. A first ever multi-fire district CWPP effort. The BWWA is overseen by the Boulder West Advisory Committee (BWAC) and is comprised of members representing the four districts. This Advisory Committee discusses project development as outlined in the four-district CWPP. 

The Four Mile Fire Crew completes a multi-year fuel break project at the Sacred Mountain Ashram in Gold Hill. With the completion of this project, the crew begins work on two other multi-year mitigation projects.

Captain of the Poorman Company and Wildland Coordinator, Paul Dennison, takes a position as Wildland Fire Senior Program Manager with City of Boulder. Dan Coghill becomes Captain of the Poorman Company and Fire Crew and Wildland Coordinator.

The Four Mile Fire Crew was dispatched for twelve weeks on Engine 4601 in California and Nevada. Crews were dispatched on fire assignment for two weeks at a time and assisted with coverage in the San Bernandino National Forest during prescribed burns, in addition to being dispatched on wildland fires including: Highland, York, Highway, and the Deep fire. Crewmembers learned lots during their time on assignment and were fortunate to work with agencies from all over the western United States. These kinds of “dispatches” not only provide a wide range of experience but also build skills and confidence to bring back to our district. Also, some surplus money is made from these assignments.  

Four Mile receives a grant to support workforce capacity. Two full-time Wildland Specialists/Squad Leaders are hired: Eric Kennedy and Ricky Blair.