LAKEWOOD, Colo. — The newest member of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) team has investigated seven fires in her first few days on the job, but her tail is still wagging.
On Monday afternoon, the DFPC announced the addition of Ash to its team. She is trained as both an accelerant detection canine and a therapy dog. She has been with the team for just 11 days so far, but has contributed to investigations into seven fires already, the DFPC said.
Ash, a 1-year-4-month-old yellow Labrador, attended Jordan Detection K9 in Indianapolis, Indiana with her handler, Matthew Morgan. Morgan is a fire investigator and canine handler with DFPC.
The Indiana program has trained more than 30 accelerant detection dogs and handlers, teaching them how to find and collect evidence at a scene without disturbing the sample. According to the program's website, this helps with the overall time spent at a scene and boosts the success rates of positive samples from a laboratory.
As a therapy dog, she will help de-escalate situations at traumatic events, Morgan said.
Chief Chris Brunette of the Fire and Life Safety Section at DFPC said Ash is one of just three accelerant detection canines available in Colorado, and the only one at the state level available for a quick dispatch to a community in need.
Morgan said DFPC is planning to add more canines to its branch as well.
Accelerant detection canines are trained to detect ignitable liquids that a person can use to start a fire. Arson is an underreported crime in the United States, but the National Fire Protection Association reported that fire departments respond to an estimated annual average of 52,260 intentional fires each year, which result in 400 civilian deaths, 950 injuries and $815 million in direct property damage. The DFPC reported that 85% of wildfires are caused by humans.
Fire season previously spanned about four months in the summer, but it has expanded to become a year-round threat. Gov. Jared Polis explained that this is why the state is doubling down on its fire response efforts.
"We want to do everything we can to prevent major fires while investing in important response tools," he said. "Ash is not only a good girl, but is now an important part of our work to keep Colorado communities safe, and we are excited to see all that she can accomplish."
