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Howard Richards Jr., Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Southern Ute Agency, enjoys a slideshow of images from his 30 plus years as a wildland firefighter during his retirement party, Thursday, Dec. 19.
Firefighters with the Los Pinos Fire Protection District attend the retirement party for Howard Richards Jr, Thursday, Dec. 19, to congratulate him on his decades of service to the community.
Hewn from a slab of wood harvested from the 1550-acre Bear Fire on the Reservation in 2007, and forged together with a wildland firefighter’s ax, a handmade trophy was presented to Howard Richards Jr., by Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Southern Ute Agency in appreciation for his many years of service.
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
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Richards leaves behind 30 plus year legacy as wildland firefighter 

Friday - January 10, 2025 by Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum

Howard Richards Jr., Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Southern Ute Agency, was given a retirement party on Thursday, Dec.19 in the large classroom of the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum.  

Richards is a 30-year veteran in the field of wildland firefighting. Richards served as the Task Force Leader on the historic Cameron Peak Fire in 2020, where he was stationed near Red Feather Lakes, Colo. He also served as Incident Commander (IC) for the Bear Dance Fire and Six Shooter Fire on the Southern Ute Reservation.  

Richards started his career in 1993 with the Forest Service, his wildland firefighting career in May of 1994. In 2008 he became a Fire Operation Specialist. One of Richards’ long-term goals was to bring on more Tribal members into permanent positions within the BIA Southern Ute Agency, in addition to facilitating plans for a new building to house the BIA’s Southern Ute Agency with additional amenities and space.   

“Howard’s great attribute has been his levelheaded and steady approach to fire management,” said Rich Gustafson, BIA Southern Ute Agency Fire Management Officer. “He has set the tone for the necessary deliberate and thoughtful approach to wildland fire management and response.   

In 1994 he started working for Forest Development with the BIA here in Ignacio, Gustafson said. He moved over into the BIA Fire Management Program in 1995 and then took a job with Tribal Forestry. Richards then worked for Tribal Forestry for six years before starting full time at BIA Fire as the Assistant Fire Management Officer for the past 10 years. Richards’ highest fire qualifications achieved during that time were Incident Commander Type 3, Fire Investigator, Task Force Leader and Prescribed Burn Boss 2. 

“Howard Richard’s excellent decision making has ensured that everyone he has managed over the years has gone home to their families at the end of each shift,” Gustafson said. “An accomplishment that is very much worth taking pride in.” 

It’s been a good run, Richards said to those attending the retirement party. It’s been a lot of sacrifice of time where I couldn’t watch my boys play sports or do other activities and always being on call for fire.  But I’m glad I can leave while my body is still working.  

Richards said he looks forward to some upcoming travel and spending more time with his family, while potentially lending a hand over at the Southern Ute Agency during the upcoming fire season. 

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