Fire Mitigation and Flood Abatement
Climate in Southwest Colorado dictates that wildfires and flash floods are a part of life. A J Construction can help secure your property, reducing risk of damage in the threat of our region's natural disasters. For two decades, we have practiced active Fuels Reduction for Fire Mitigation, as well as helped landowners reinforce and armor watersheds to protect against flooding. In addition to these precautionary endeavors with private land owners, A J Construction contracts to the US Forest Service, assisting in Wildland Fire Rehabilitation efforts across the western US. Many of the mitigation strategies we prescribe to our private landowner clients stem from best practices used by government agencies.
Fire Mitigation Through Fuels Reduction
Protecting your property from the threat of wildfire, primarily involves proper management of the vegetation to create a defensible space. Oak brush and other underlying species are quicker to dry out than larger trees such as Pinon, Juniper or Pine. These dryer brush plants ignite easier, burn faster and act as ladder fuels, spreading fire into the crowns of taller surrounding trees.
A J Construction's AFE mowers are precision implements which can efficiently remove oak brush and other ladder fuels while opening up space for larger tree species to thrive. Maintenance treatments every 3-6 years are recommended.​
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Flood Abatement
If your property is exposed to steep hillsides and drainages, A J construction can help reduce the risk of flood damage by controlling water velocities and directions. This is especially important following recent wildfire events or a substantial reduction to vegetation on a given slope.
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In the months following Durango's 416 Fire, we assisted many Hermosa Residents in protection from flooding, as well as cleanup efforts for the unfortunate ones caught in floods before mitigation efforts could be implemented.
416 Fire Flooding of D&SNGRR
Following the 416 Fire of 2018, heavy rains over the burn area resulted in massive flooding and landslides throughout the Animas Valley. A J Construction worked alongside other excavation contractors in an effort to respond to the emergency and reduced future damage to property.
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Efforts to repair multiple sections of track line for the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad were part of these efforts. Work included consolidation and control of flows, installation of large culverts, rip-rap and rock armoring around infrastructure, and regrading along the trackline to get the train back in service.
Wildland Fire Rehab
For over a decade, A J Construction has contracted out to the US Forest Service, assisting with wildland fire cleanup.
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Our list of contracted equipment includes dozers, masticators, excavators, motor graders, water trucks, and semi trucks.
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