Eagle County teams with FirstBank on wildfire mitigation funding

Eagle County and FirstBank, Colorado’s largest locally owned bank with a focus on “banking for good,” are offering private landowners and collective groups of private landowners in the Roaring Fork Valley the opportunity to apply for incentive funding to reduce wildfire risk.

FirstBank made a $50,000 donation last December to help recovery and mitigation efforts after the Lake Christine Fire. The money will be used to provide property owners financial and technical assistance to safeguard their homes and create fire adapted communities. The effort is also in a partnership with Eagle County, Roaring Fork Fire & Rescue and the Town of Basalt.

“I can’t think of anything more important than protecting locals,” said FirstBank Roaring Fork Valley Market President Dave Portman. “A year removed from the Lake Christine Fire, and as restoration to the burn scar is ongoing, preventive measures are essential to safeguard our community. As wildfires continue to be a threat during the summer months, we want everyone to take advantage of the resources available to them. We made this sizable contribution last year not because it was a nice thing to do, but the right thing to do. As a longtime Colorado owned and operated bank, it’s important we do what we can to preserve our state and help our communities.”  

Work is already underway in numerous Eagle County neighborhoods. Earlier this spring, the Town of Basalt and Roaring Fork Fire & Rescue completed a fuel-break demonstration project on Midland Avenue to serve as a call-to-action for local residents. Several neighborhoods impacted by last summer’s Lake Christine Fire have already begun implementing recovery efforts and mitigation projects in cooperation with Eagle County and local fire authorities.  

To learn more about eligibility for the Roaring Fork Wildfire Assistance Program, contact Eric Lovgren with Eagle County to schedule a free wildfire hazard assessment of a home or property at eric.lovgren@eaglecounty.us.