Author Archives: gram

Upcoming USFS Prescribed Pile Burning

Pikes Peak Ranger District Plans Prescribed Pile Burning Near Woodland Park

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., December 17, 2021— As part of the ongoing hazardous fuels reduction project, the Pikes Peak Ranger District will conduct pile burns on National Forest System lands in El Paso and Teller Counties, beginning in December and continuing through spring of 2022, conditions permitting.

The names and locations of the pile burns on the Pikes Peak Ranger District are as follows:

  • Phantom 4 and Broken Wheel – several locations north of Divide, Colorado, along County Road 51 and along the 717 trails between the Phantom Creek trailhead and Forest Service Road 355.
  • 331 – the north-northeast side of Pikes Peak along Pikes Peak Highway near Crowe Gulch trailhead off Forest Service Road 331.
  • Painted Rocks – north of Woodland Park, Colorado, near Highway 67 just off Painted Rocks Road (County Road 78).
  • Skelton – west of Woodland Park, Colorado, on Highway 24 near Charis Bible College on County Road 25.
  • Monument Fire Center – west of the town of Monument, Colorado, at the Monument Fire Center.
  • Mothball, Ensign Gulch, Carrol Lakes, Rainbow Gulch and Woodland Park Work Center – east of Woodland Park, Colorado, off Rampart Range Road between Forest Service Roads 315 and 306.

 
“These pile burns help to improve the health of the forest,” said Pikes Peak District Ranger Oscar Martinez. “The piles are a result of tree thinning operations designed to reduce dead wood and remove unhealthy overcrowded trees that contribute to high-intensity wildfires.”
 
To facilitate burning, each of the selected areas have been prepared in advance to ensure safe fire operations. The piles in the areas consist of small trees as well as treetops and limbs cut and piled during ongoing projects to reduce hazardous fuels around recreation areas, reservoirs and private property. These prescribed burns will help improve forest health as well as reduce the heavy fuel loading that poses a safety threat to firefighters suppressing wildfires and the recreating pubic in the area. 
 
Ignitions will occur only when weather and fuel conditions meet prescriptive parameters and when smoke impacts can be managed within established requirements.  Ignition and burning operations may continue for several days depending on the number of piles being burned. Fire personnel will monitor the burns until the fires are completely out.
 
Smoke is a natural byproduct of fire and some amounts are unavoidable. However, fire managers and prescribed fire specialists look carefully at the proximity of communities and determine the least amount of smoke impact to the public during prescribed burning. Once burning begins, expect smoke to be visible from Woodland Park, Colorado Springs, and Monument. Smoke may also linger over the burn areas for a few days following initial ignitions. For more information on smoke and health, please visit:  https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
 
Follow @PSICC_NF on Twitter for up-to-date information on this and other topics. Use #PikesPeakRD for Pikes Peak Ranger District prescribed fire information and notification of when burns will take place. For more fire information resources, please visit our website.

November 2021 Board of Directors Meeting

FOMP is pleased to announce our November 2021 Board Meeting

Meeting Time:
Tuesday, November 9th at 7:00 PM

Meeting Place:
Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Meeting House, 300 CO 105, Monument, CO 80132

 Board Member Updates

  • Vice President update.
  • Secretary and Treasurer update.

Topics

  • Add additional BOD personal for access to FOMP social media platforms – need backup.
  • Need to place an order for tools, Pulaski and Pulaski handles.
  • Long-term FOMP tool trailer storage. 
  • Seasons workday accomplishments.
  • TOSC and Medicine Wheel interactions with FOMP.
  • Fire center camping issues.
  • No December meeting.

Open Discussion

Thanks,
FOMP

October 2021 Trail Night

Tuesday, October 12th at 5:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding one of our monthly volunteer trail work maintenance sessions for 2021. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Please meet at the parking lot just after the Mt Herman road turns to dirt https://goo.gl/maps/hP3SdmGwGTxC3VBH6

Check the website too! http://www.fomp.org

The rest of the info you need: FOMP and USFS provide all the necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring leather gloves, a hat, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Be aware all participants will need to sign a waiver before than can begin any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

FOMP/Town of Monument Workday

On Monday 9/13, employees from the Town of Monument partnered with Friends of Monument Preserve on an afternoon of trail work. We focused on the Ridgeline trail, repairing and adding water bars, and cleaning drains, to mitigate erosion issues. We also trimmed back scrub oak to improve sightlines for multiple users and closed down social trails. FOMP really appreciates the efforts from the Town of Monument to help maintain our trails. But we need more help! Trail usage continues to grow, which drives more maintenance work. Please consider volunteering on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, April-October, at 6 PM. See fomp.org for details. 

Thanks very much to the Town of Monument for the support and partnership!

September 2021 Trail Night


FOMP needs you for this trail work session!

Tuesday, September 14th at 6:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding one of our monthly volunteer trail work maintenance sessions for 2021.  We’ll be under COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, smaller groups, and facial coverings. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Special COVID-19 Safety Protocols:

  • We will distribute Self-Screen and Risk Assessment documents to all volunteers, prior to beginning any work
  • FOMP and other trained resources will provide safety briefing on trail work practices, and new COVID-19 related distancing guidelines
  • Workgroups will be limited to 5 or fewer people, with multiple groups deployed to separate work areas
  • Volunteers will follow measures highlighted in the Risk Assessment to including following all Local, State, and CDC guidelines for small group sizes (5 or fewer per workgroup), maintaining enhanced distancing guidelines of 10 feet, wearing a facial covering, and avoiding carpooling with nonfamily members

Please meet at the main parking lot at Mt Herman and Nursery https://goo.gl/maps/rdJuhbbQWEx

Check the website too! http://www.fomp.org

The rest of the info you need: FOMP and USFS provide all the necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring leather gloves, a hat, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Be aware all participants will need to sign a waiver before than can begin any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

This is the upcoming list of FOMP events through the end of the year. Please come out for our trail work nights and help maintain the trails that we all use and love.  

October 12, 2021

  • FOMP Trail Night
    • Starts: 6:00 PM
    • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
    • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

August 2021 Trail Night

FOMP needs you for this trail work session!

Tuesday, August 10th at 6:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding one of our monthly volunteer trail work maintenance sessions for 2021.  We’ll be under COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, smaller groups, and facial coverings. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Special COVID-19 Safety Protocols:

  • We will distribute Self-Screen and Risk Assessment documents to all volunteers, prior to beginning any work
  • FOMP and other trained resources will provide safety briefing on trail work practices, and new COVID-19 related distancing guidelines
  • Workgroups will be limited to 5 or fewer people, with multiple groups deployed to separate work areas
  • Volunteers will follow measures highlighted in the Risk Assessment to including following all Local, State, and CDC guidelines for small group sizes (5 or fewer per workgroup), maintaining enhanced distancing guidelines of 10 feet, wearing a facial covering, and avoiding carpooling with nonfamily members

Please meet at the main parking lot at Mt Herman and Nursery https://goo.gl/maps/rdJuhbbQWEx

Check the website too! http://www.fomp.org

The rest of the info you need: FOMP and USFS provide all the necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring leather gloves, a hat, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Be aware all participants will need to sign a waiver before than can begin any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

This is the upcoming list of FOMP events through the end of the year. Please come out for our trail work nights and help maintain the trails that we all use and love.  

September 14, 2021

  • FOMP Trail Night
    • Starts: 6:00 PM
    • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
    • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

October 12, 2021

  • FOMP Trail Night
    • Starts: 6:00 PM
    • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
    • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

July 2021 Trail Night

FOMP needs you for this trail work session!

Tuesday, July 13th at 6:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding one of our monthly volunteer trail work maintenance sessions for 2021.  We’ll be under COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, smaller groups, and facial coverings. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Special COVID-19 Safety Protocols:

  • We will distribute Self-Screen and Risk Assessment documents to all volunteers, prior to beginning any work
  • FOMP and other trained resources will provide safety briefing on trail work practices, and new COVID-19 related distancing guidelines
  • Workgroups will be limited to 5 or fewer people, with multiple groups deployed to separate work areas
  • Volunteers will follow measures highlighted in the Risk Assessment to including following all Local, State, and CDC guidelines for small group sizes (5 or fewer per workgroup), maintaining enhanced distancing guidelines of 10 feet, wearing a facial covering, and avoiding carpooling with nonfamily members

Please meet at the main parking lot at Mt Herman and Nursery https://goo.gl/maps/rdJuhbbQWEx

Check the website too! https://www.fomp.org

The rest of the info you need: FOMP and USFS provide all the necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring leather gloves, a hat, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area.

FYI – The mosquitoes have been a bit bad, so suggest bringing bug spray.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Be aware all participants will need to sign a waiver before than can begin any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP


This is the upcoming list of FOMP events through the end of the year. Please come out for our trail work nights and help maintain the trails that we all use and love.  

August 10, 2021

  • FOMP Trail Night
    • Starts: 6:00 PM
    • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
    • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

September 14, 2021

  • FOMP Trail Night
    • Starts: 6:00 PM
    • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
    • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

October 12, 2021

  • FOMP Trail Night
    • Starts: 6:00 PM
    • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
    • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

June 2021 Trail Night

FOMP needs you for this trail work session!

Tuesday, June 8th at 6:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding one of our monthly volunteer trail work maintenance sessions for 2021.  We’ll be under COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, smaller groups, and facial coverings. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Special COVID-19 Safety Protocols:

  • We will distribute Self-Screen and Risk Assessment documents to all volunteers, prior to beginning any work
  • FOMP and other trained resources will provide safety briefing on trail work practices, and new COVID-19 related distancing guidelines
  • Workgroups will be limited to 5 or fewer people, with multiple groups deployed to separate work areas
  • Volunteers will follow measures highlighted in the Risk Assessment to including following all Local, State, and CDC guidelines for small group sizes (5 or fewer per workgroup), maintaining enhanced distancing guidelines of 10 feet, wearing a facial covering, and avoiding carpooling with nonfamily members

Please meet at the main parking lot at Mt Herman and Nursery https://goo.gl/maps/rdJuhbbQWEx

Check the website too! http://www.fomp.org

The rest of the info you need: FOMP and USFS provide all the necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring leather gloves, a hat, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Be aware all participants will need to sign a waiver before than can begin any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

This is the upcoming list of FOMP events through the end of the year. Please come out for our trail work nights and help maintain the trails that we all use and love.  

July 13, 2021

  • FOMP Trail Night
    • Starts: 6:00 PM
    • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
    • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

August 10, 2021

  • FOMP Trail Night
    • Starts: 6:00 PM
    • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
    • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

September 14, 2021

  • FOMP Trail Night
    • Starts: 6:00 PM
    • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
    • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

October 12, 2021

  • FOMP Trail Night
    • Starts: 6:00 PM
    • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
    • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery