Wildfire and Wildlife
Updated June 8, 2021
Dear Bachelor Gulch Property Owner,
The Bachelor Gulch Village Association and Bachelor Gulch Metropolitan District are working in
conjunction with Public Safety and Beaver Creek Mountain Operations to continue support of a healthy
forest in the areas surrounding the community. Supporting healthy forest growth is part of our wildfire
mitigation efforts. Similar efforts are also underway in Beaver Creek and Arrowhead.
In conjunction with these efforts, we would like to encourage all Bachelor Gulch residents to obtain a free
Wildfire Hazard Assessment for their personal property. Depending on the recommendations contained in
the assessment, residents may be required to submit the report to the Design Review Administration, prior to
beginning the recommended work.
The Design Review Administration would waive the Application fee associated with any application related
to a Wildfire Assessment. In certain instances, for extensive work, a compliance deposit and/or other
provisions of the Construction Activity and Compliance Deposit Regulation may be required.
Residents wishing to remove trees on their property without a Wildfire Hazard Assessment still will be
required to submit a complete application and fee to the Design Review Administration.
Public Safety has identified the following local resources to perform the Wildfire Hazard Assessment for an
individual’s personal property. All resident’s and Homeowner’s Associations are strongly encouraged to
take the necessary steps to mitigate potential existing fire hazards on their property.
Please contact Tracy LeClair or Eric Lovgren for further information.
We would also like to remind everyone that Bachelor Gulch does have a policy restricting open fires. The
policy states:
“No outdoor wood-burning fire pits are allowed within Bachelor Gulch Village, with the exception of the Village
Core. No open fires shall be lighted or permitted on any Property except in a contained barbecue unit while attended and in use for cooking purposes or within a safe and well-designed gas burning device, which may include a well-
designed gas fire pit approved by the Design Review Board.”
Thank you for your assistance with keeping Bachelor Gulch safe. Have a wonderful summer.
The Bachelor Gulch Metropolitan District hires Old Growth Tree Service (OGTS) as the community arborist and to assist with our Healthy Forest/Wildfire Mitigation efforts. OGTS is very familiar with the prescriptions identified to promote the Healthy Forest within your property boundaries. For more information please call 970-401-0274
James van Beek is the Eagle County Sheriff.
You can reach him at [email protected].
To view the article in the Vail Daily, CLICK HERE
To advise people of potential danger, the ECSO has developed a three-stage warning system.
Stage 1
Prohibiting campfires, wood-burning stoves, charcoal grills, and other open flames, including smoking,
except in enclosed buildings and vehicles, and any type of explosive material, including fireworks or other
pyrotechnic device. Exceptions include permanent fire pits with grates in developed recreational areas and
lanterns using gas or jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel. There are also restrictions in using
equipment that generates a spark. Welding and other open torch tools may be exempt with permits that
include restricted use, like having a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher nearby, at least one 35-inch
shovel, and a 10-foot clearing away from combustible material, including grasses and dry brush.
Stage 2
All of the restrictions of Stage 1 plus … no fires, even in developed campgrounds and picnic areas, any
internal combustion engine (e.g., chainsaw, generator, ATV) without a spark arresting device, and any fuses
or blasting caps, rockets, exploding targets, tracer rounds, and other spark-generating or incendiary objects,
agricultural burns (except by permit). Also prohibited is the use of off-road motor vehicles, except in areas
devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, and in developed campgrounds and trailheads. Exhaust
sparks can trigger a blaze.
Stage 3
Closure, except to authorized personnel, to eliminate the potential for human-caused fire hazards.
Home Safety: Fireproofing your home may slow down the progress of a fire, allowing time for firefighters to
arrive. Of course, there are now new materials in homebuilding that inhibit fires but most of us live in
existing structures. There are still some things that can be done.
Create a fireproof barrier around your home, up to 100 feet. The use of gravel and concrete on driveways and
patios helps to create a break. Flame-resistant plants can also slow down approaching flames; ones that are
low resin with high moisture content are best. Pay particular attention to areas that are uphill towards your
home. Regularly clear out undergrowth and check for flammable items in storage sheds and garages. If you
have a gated entrance and there is a Stage 2 warning in effect, leave the gate unlocked to allow easier access
for emergency vehicles.
Roof and siding are best if made of tile, metal, concrete, stone, brick, or stucco. If you have a wood roof, be
sure to paint the shingles with a fire-resistant treatment. Install double-paned windows with metal, rather
than wood frames. When building an outdoor deck, instead of wood, consider concrete, brick, or stone for
fire resistance. Clean out debris from gutters which can ignite from nearby sparks. Trim tree limbs around
power lines.
Be fire smart inside the home, as well. Keep candles away from curtains, even a slight breeze can ignite a
fire. Don’t drape anything over light bulbs; their heat can ignite. Never run space heaters, unattended. Dryer lint is a leading cause of home fires; clean it out every month. Do not overload plugs — check the voltage of
extension cords and never run them under rugs. Don’t use appliances that emit an unusual odor and check the
integrity of their electrical cords; it cheaper to replace them than to tape a crack which can overheat and
spark a fire. Install fire alarms and check batteries regularly. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. A rescue ladder
upstairs can be a lifesaver.
Summer is one of the most enjoyable times of year in Eagle County; let’s make this one fire-free and safe.
Local first responders
• Eagle County Sheriff’s Office: 970-328-8500
• Eagle County’s Wildfire Mitigation Specialist: 970-328-8742
• Eagle River Fire Protection District: 970-748-9665
• Greater Eagle Fire Protection District: 970-328-7244
• Gypsum Fire Protection District: 970-524-7101
• Vail Fire and Emergency Services: 970-479-2250
• Bureau of Land Management Office, Glenwood Springs: 970-947-2800
• U.S. Forest Service Office, Eagle: 970-328-6388
• U.S. Forest Service Office, Minturn: 970-827-5715
• Basalt and Rural Fire Protection District: 970-704-0675
Prescribed Forestry Actions Information
WILDFIRE
Bachelor Gulch has now been awarded a Firewise Community designation by the Colorado State Forester. Click on the attached links below for information on becoming a Firewise Home© and Firewise Community©.
Bachelor Gulch Village Firewise 2020 Certificate
Bears
Public Safety would like to remind all property owners that bears and other wildlife are coming out of hibernation and are hungry. As we all know, the bears were very active in the community last summer and fall. The Division of Wildlife is willing to work with all communities to manage potential bear problems but needs the active support of homeowners.
The main issue the Department of Wildlife is trying to address is the abundant supply of trash as a food source. It was once rare for a bear to have more than one cub at a time. However with the abundant supply of trash available to fatten them up DOW are seeing three and sometimes four cubs with one mother which adds to the bear population and problems. Additionally the mother bear will bring the cubs down for food sources she remembers thus training them in the habit.
Removing the bears does not ultimately solve the problem; no matter how far away they have hauled problem bears the bears find their way back to what they remember is a food source. DOW has trapped a bear, hauled it out into the middle of the flat tops, and within a day the bear is back in some community causing the same problem. DOW’s rule is two strikes and you are out unless the bear is aggressive in which case it is the first strike and you’re out.
Bachelor Gulch Village Association, in cooperation with the Division of Wildlife, has adopted the “Wildlife Regulations” that require only approved bread resistive trash containers and also that trash may be put out only the day of pickup. Bachelor Gulch Public Safety routinely monitors for trash violations and assesses fines for repeat offenders.
The Division of Wildlife recommends the following:
- All trash must be in bear proof containers and only placed out on the day of pickup. Make sure latches are secure when putting trash cans out for pickup.
- All food sources such as dog food and bird feeders should be removed from outside of the home. While a homeowner may place a bird feeder where a bear cannot reach it, the bird feeder will still attract bears to your home.
- Close and lock doors into your home. Many of the bear invasions have happened when homeowners have left doors open and the bear came through the screen into the home. Bears will paw a door that they want to go through and lever door handles are an easy way for bears to open your door. Please Lock Them!
- Close and lock lower windows into your home. Even small openings in a window will allow the bear to pull the window open.
- If you need to leave a window open for ventilation, place nail tack strips or nail boards on the window sill or below the window. When the bear places its paw on the window or below the window, the bear will be stuck by the nails and leave your home.
Bachelor Gulch Public Safety has a bear deterrent program and will be patrolling the community 24 hours a day looking for any potential bear problems. Should you have questions or concerns, please contact Bachelor Gulch Public Safety at (970)845-2345
Division of Wildlife has provided the following pamphlets for further information: Living with Bears, Living with Mountain Lions, and General Wildlife Tips.
