The town of Rifle, Colo. will be the home of a new high-tech fire center that will be instrumental in helping the state of Colorado fight wildfires.

KKTV reports the Center for Excellence in Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting, which could open by August, will bring hundreds of jobs to Western Colorado.

Rifle was chosen over larger cities like Colorado Springs and Fort Collins for several reasons, including it's close proximity to open lands, uncontrolled airspace, high-risk wildfire areas, and nearby watersheds. Seven communities were trying to land the center.

The center will be a data-focused research facility helping to ensure the success of Colorado's aerial firefighting fleet. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control says some of the technology based at the new center will be related fire prevention and software.

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