May is officially National Wildfire Preparedness Month. However, given the winter we have had so far, Grand County Wildfire Council suggests residents start preparing NOW for the coming summer.  

According to a study by the Colorado State Forest Service, about 2.5 million people live within the 4.5 million acres of wildland-urban interface (WUI) in Colorado. More than 1 million of these residents live in areas with moderate to very high risk of wildfire. Nearly all of Grand County lies within areas of Moderate to High Risk for wildfire impact. This is why it is important that you protect your home and community against wildfire.  Capitalize on the unseasonably warm weather this winter to partake in wildfire mitigation projects around your home.  

Studies from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) indicate that 80-90% of homes destroyed by wildfires ignite from flying embers, not direct flames. Mitigation efforts by homeowners have a significant impact on your home’s survivability during a wildfire. 

There are two main aspects of wildfire mitigation around a home - Defensible Space and Home Hardening. Defensible space is the area up to 100 feet from your home that you can modify to reduce wildfire risk and progression. Defensible space is typically separated into three zones that have different allowances for vegetation and other flammable materials. Home hardening is the modification of a home’s construction to withstand ignition from flying embers, radiant heat, and direct flame. It takes the combination of both defensible space and home hardening to give your house the best chance of surviving a wildfire. Contact Grand County Wildfire Council today for a free wildfire risk assessment that will outline your home and property’s specific wildfire risk.

Defensible Space Project Ideas: 

• Check out GCWC’s Home Hazard Ignition Zone Cost Share Program (digital) to apply for reimbursement match funding for your mitigation project! 

• Within 5 feet of your home, remove all vegetation (trees, shrubs, grasses, mulch).  If you have an attached porch, the five-foot zone should start at the outer edge of the porch.
• Once you feel confident that you will no longer be using your fireplace this winter, move your firewood pile at least 30’ from the home and outbuildings. Do NOT stack firewood under the porch.
• Sweep porches and decks of leaves and pine needles. Rake under decks, porches, sheds and play structures and dispose of debris.  Do NOT store flammable materials or furniture under the porch.  
• Within 30’ of the home, use hand pruners to remove low-hanging tree branches to a height of 6-10 feet from the ground or a third of the total height of the tree, whichever is less. 
• Remove stressed, diseased, dead or dying trees and shrubs within 30’ of the home.
• Remove all common juniper within 30’ of the home.  These are called ‘gasoline plants’ for a reason.

Home Hardening Project Ideas: 

• Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration. 
• Remove debris from gutters.
• Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8-inch to prevent sparks from entering the home. 
• Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screens with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.
• Make sure the first 5’ of fences attached to the home are non-combustible like metal.

Other Steps to Become Wildfire Ready:

• Assemble an emergency supply kit and place it in a safe spot. Remember to include important documents, medications, and personal identification. 
• Develop an emergency evacuation plan and practice it with everyone in your home.
• If you don’t have a reflective address sign at the end of your driveway, install one.  You may order one (digital) from Grand County Wildfire Council. www.BeWildfireReady.org/programs/address-signs (print)
• Plan to attend Grand County Wildfire Council’s summer Training Series and Community Chipping Days.(digital) www.BeWildfireReady.org/events/event-list (print)
• Visit the Grand County Wildfire Council website (digital) (www.BeWildfireReady.org) (print) for more information. You may also call us at 970-627-7121.