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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Colorado Springs Firefighters are teaming up with TwoCor, a vocational institute that works with troubled youth, to reduce the risk of wildfires in the area.

"What we do is we get jobs that we can work them on, to try to teach them some work ethic and the skills that they need to get jobs on their own," PJ Snow, TwoCor Youth Vocational Institute Program Director, said.

The group worked Wednesday to clear out an area near Sinton Pond, which is near I-25 and Filmore.

Firefighters said they are expecting a very active wildland fire season this year, blaming dry fuels and high winds.

"It's been a very dry year here in Colorado Springs, along the front range," Andrew Notbhom, Wild land Mitigation Program Coordinator with the Colorado Springs Fire Department, said. "You know my gut tells me if we don't get some significant moisture it is gonna be a very active, early fire season." 

Firefighters added prevention is key.

"What we're trying to do is reduce the fuel so we have a ground fire or surface fire coming through here," Notbhom said. "That's something as firefighters we can manage with a direct attack. We can come in engines, shovels and really fight that fire. If it gets into the crown of the trees and it's a running crown fire there's not much you can do."

Firefighters said areas like the one near Sinton Pond, containing dry, dense, fuels are concerning.

"When we have large wildland fire there's not gonna be a fire truck in everyone's drive, so you need to be thinking about it ahead of time," Notbhom said.

The crew removed dead, weak, diseased and dying vegetation in the area, and said they will reduce fuels in the area by 40 to 50 percent.

Fire officials recommend clearing fuels around homes as well.

"The tagline for the Colorado Springs Wildfire Mitigation Group is 'sharing the responsibility,'" Notbhom said. "We'll work with individuals and home owners, have onsite consultations, talk to individuals about what they can do to reduce their fire risk, also help them address common areas in their neighborhood."

And while the crews work to make a difference in the Sinton Pond area, they are also making a difference in the lives of troubled teens.

"I think they really get a sense of accomplishment when they can see the work that they are doing is making a difference so it helps motivate them," Snow said.

Snow said currently TwoCor has about 35 kids in the project and they do all kinds of landscaping from mowing people's lawns, to building retaining walls.

"They can call me, and I come out and give them a bid and let them know if that's something we can do," Snow said. "We can do anything the larger landscape companies can. We're a little bit slower, but the quality is just as good and generally we're a little cheaper."

To set up an onsite consultation with the CSFD Mitigation Group call 719-385-7342.