The Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District (FLMFPD) Board of Directors has authorized the question of a 1.5 mill levy increase to be placed on the May ballot for the voters of the district. The election will be conducted through a mail-in ballot process. Eligible voters will receive their ballots by mail for voting. The election will conclude on May 4, 2010.

The FLMFPD encompasses approximately 250 square miles, from the Colorado/New Mexico state line on Highway 140, to the top of Hesperus Hill, to the county line at the top of Mancos Hill, to the bottom of Blue Hill in Wildcat Canyon and also includes La Plata Canyon. The district serves approximately 1450 households with a population of approximately 4,500 people. The Fire District, a special tax district, is governed by an elected five-member board of directors.

The FLMFPD provides structure fire and wild land fire defense, hazardous material incident response, rescue operations as well as emergency medical services.

The department consists of 35 volunteer members and a full-time salaried chief officer. The majority of members are cross-trained in different disciplines. Several members are trained in special operations, including energy pipeline fires, ice rescue and rope (low and high angle) rescue.