Aspen Fire strengthens wildfire response with new coordinator and 501(c)(3) status for foundation

The Aspen Fire Protection District’s non-profit wing, the Aspen Wildfire Foundation, has been officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service.

The status enables the foundation to enhance its mission of mitigating wildfire impact through protection, restoration, and preparation efforts across Aspen and surrounding areas.

Aspen Fire also appointed Shannon “Shaggy” Fink as the first Wildfire Resilience Project Coordinator. His extensive background in wildfire mitigation and community safety will play a pivotal role in advancing the district’s preparedness and response capabilities.

“Joining the AFPD is a unique opportunity to apply my skills for the greater good of our community,” he said in a news release.

He will join Ali Hammond, director of Community Wildfire Resilience, on Aspen Fire’s wildfire resilience team.

Two upcoming initiatives in Aspen and Basalt aim to engage the community in wildfire awareness and preparedness.

Aspen Fire will host a Wildfire Preparedness Month trivia event from 5-7 p.m. on May 3 at the downtown Aspen fire station.

There will also be a screening of “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” at 6 p.m. on April 10 at TACAW in Basalt, in partnership with the Roaring Fork Valley Wildfire Collaborative. Tickets are $15 for the screening or $110 for access to a cocktail hour and pre-screening event with fire experts. A panel discussion will follow the screening. Ticket revenue will benefit the collaborative.

Since its inception in October 2021, Aspen Fire’s resilience program has instituted several wildlife mitigation and safety programs, including a 33-acre firebreak demonstration project completed in 2023, an annual free brush collection “chipping program” for high-risk neighborhoods, and landscape-scale and homeowner-scale initiatives.

They also are pursuing the first Firewise designations for high-risk communities within the district. Homeowners will be able to schedule no-obligation wildfire hazard assessments through Aspen Fire starting May 1.