The Wildfire Environment in Manitou Springs
The City of Manitou Springs is located at the base of Pikes Peak adjacent to Pike and San Isabel National Forests in typical foothills-type topography. The area terrain is steep, with narrow drainages that include Engelmann Canyon, Pawnee Canyon, Williams Canyon and Wildcat Gulch, and ridge tops such as Crystal Hills and Mesa Road. Residential neighborhoods are spread all throughout these narrow canyons, on the ridge tops and mid-slope in steep terrain.
The vegetation in these neighborhoods and surrounding area ranges from native grasses, shrubs and trees to ornamental, non-indigenous species. On the edges of The City and in much of its open spaces, mountain mahogany, Gambel oak, Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine and scattered pinion and junipers are among the most common species of trees and shrubs. Within The City’s neighborhoods, subdivisions and parks, indigenous trees, shrubs, and grasses intermix with ornamental plants. Trees include cottonwoods, willows, various elms, Engelmann spruce, blue spruce, Ponderosa pine, several varieties of fruit trees and aspens.
While Manitou Springs enjoys roughly 250 to 280 days of sunshine per year, the city sees approximately 20 inches of rain and 30 to 40 inches of snow. Unfortunately, this moderate weather is occasionally coupled with unseasonable heat and drought along with extreme winds. Recent local natural disasters such as the Waldo Fire are indelible examples.
The mix of wilderness areas and structures in Manitou Springs is called the Wildland Urban Interface, or WUI. The majority of Manitou Springs is considered Wildland Urban Interface, requiring residents to be particularly careful in protecting their property from the risk of wildfire.