You can’t go anywhere these days without having a conversation about our dry, warm winter. Wildfire risk is all too real in the foothills, and after a winter like this, many of us are walking around with heightened nerves, waiting to exhale once summer passes. It can feel like wildfire is inevitable. But it’s not.
“We can be vigilant, proactive and protective of our community.”
Multiple studies have attributed between 72 percent and 97 percent of wildfires along the Front Range to human causes. And if humans are causing these fires, then humans can also change behaviors to help prevent them. Most of these risky behaviors seem obvious, but here are some pointers that will reduce the risk of wildfires:
• Fully extinguish campfires and fire pits
• Avoid fireworks in dry conditions
• Never toss cigarettes outdoors
• Secure trailer chains to prevent sparks
• Avoid parking on dry grass
• Use caution with power tools and equipment
• Follow local burn bans and fire restrictions
• Properly dispose of fireplace ashes
Now let’s talk about what we SHOULD do. I’ve lived in the foothills since 2001. As a realtor, I’m a Certified Mountain Area Specialist, which means I’ve taken classes on wildfire risk, insurability issues, home hardening, mitigation, and more. I’ve brought home “go bag” checklists from community meetings multiple times. And yet, I’ve never actually put together a go bag for myself. This is the year I’m taking that seriously, and you should too.
You should also have a plan for getting out of the area in the event of a wildfire, and make sure you have a plan for your pets as well. Remember the six “Ps,” a simple checklist for what to take if you need to evacuate quickly:
• People & pets
• Papers, phone numbers & important documents
• Prescriptions, vitamins & eyeglasses
• Pictures & irreplaceable memorabilia
• Personal computers, hard drives & disks
• “Plastic”—credit cards, ATM cards & cash
Creating defensible space around your home is one of the most important ways to reduce wildfire risk. Aim for at least 30 feet of cleared space by removing dead vegetation, pulling weeds, cleaning gutters and moving flammable materials away from your home. Anything that can easily ignite or help carry fire should be cleared whenever possible.
This work can also help with insurance eligibility. Many carriers now require defensible space before they will insure homes in mountain communities. The good news is that local fire departments offer FREE home assessments because they genuinely want to help protect your property and your family.
There is so much to discuss when it comes to wildfire risk, but the message I want to convey is this: Catastrophic wildfire is not inevitable. We can be vigilant, proactive and protective of our community. Spread the word. Help your neighbors. Organize a neighborhood cleanup day where everyone pools resources to help clear properties together.
Evergreen Fire/Rescue offers a variety of resources on everything from home hardening to apps for monitoring fire activity, including recommendations to enroll in LookoutAlert. Wildfire Ready, created by Rotary, also has excellent tools, tips and resources.
I know many of you are like me—you understand this is important, but you haven’t fully taken action yet. The time is now. Let’s take care of each other and the place we call home.
