West Fork residents who live in Dolores County are in a no-man's land for fire protection services.
The mountain enclave, which includes the Dunton Resort, does not fall under the service area for Dolores County fire Protection District, or the Town of Dolores Fire District, which covers northern Montezuma County.
For decades, fires, accidents and emergencies in the remote West Fork area were covered by the Dolores Fire District in Dolores, even though they were not legally obligated.
But that is all about to change, because the small volunteer fire district cannot afford to cover the area any longer, said Dolores Fire Chief Mike Zion.
"Our district call loads keep going up and up, and responding up there takes a lot of time and expense," Zion said. "We have to focus on covering our district where people pay taxes for the service."
He said that if the fire district does respond, they will have to begin charging homeowners and those in accidents to cover their costs and time.
For example, emergency medical services, including extrication, traffic control and rescue will be a fee of $1,500 per incident.
Use of water and pumper trucks would be $103 to $130 per hour; brush trucks, $71 per hour; ambulance service, $70 per hour; fire personnel, $20 per hour. Other service charges also would apply.
In the event of simultaneous calls in and outside the Dolores Fire District, district members will be a priority.
In a June 24 letter to West Fork residents, Dolores County commissioner Julie Kibel explained the situation, and offered advice.
"Due to the costs you would face in the event of services being required, and due to the secondary priority you would receive under the current situation, the Commissioners strongly suggest that you take steps to form your own fire protection entity," Kibel stated.
A special fire protection district could be formed to collect taxes or fees, or a nonprofit fire/rescue service could be formed under the Volunteer Fire Department Organization Act that could tap state funding and grants.
"We are willing to help with the training so they can handle it on their own," Zion said.
The fire service void along the West Fork in Dolores County does fall under the jurisdiction of the Dolores County Sheriff, Southwest Memorial Hospital and Colorado State Patrol.
West Fork resident Tom Johnson says the remote area attracts a certain type of person, and a lack of services goes with the territory.
"We've talked about it with the neighbors, but that's just the way it is up here," he said, when contacted by phone. "People know if something happens up here, you're kind of on your own. We keep extra medical supplies on hand and rely on each other."
The Dolores County commissioners and Dolores Fire Protection District have scheduled a community meeting on July 13, at 6 p.m. at the Dolores Fire Station in Dolores, to discuss the situation, answer questions and explore options.
