Wildfire is a part of nature in Colorado, but drought, high winds and warmer temperatures are increasing wildfire risk, while at the same time, more people are moving into wildfire-prone areas. Just under half of all Coloradans live in the wildland-urban interface and are at risk of wildfire.
Spring is a good time of year to prepare one’s home and property for wildfire, and Gov. Jared Polis proclaimed May as Wildfire Awareness Month in Colorado to encourage residents to be ready for fire and prevent human-caused wildfires.
It is imperative that Coloradans who live in and around natural vegetation and are most at risk of wildfire take actions to prepare for wildfire. Current forecasts indicate that normal fire potential is expected across Colorado through July, except in southwestern Colorado, where potential is above normal, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC). However, an average fire season results in thousands of wildfires that have the potential to blow up and become destructive under the right conditions.
Practical actions to reduce wildfire risk
The good news is, we know wildfire mitigation works, and Coloradans can take simple, practical, relatively low-cost actions to prepare their homes and property for wildfire. These actions include the following:
- Regularly clear leaves, pine needles and other debris from your deck, roof and gutters.
- Rake and remove pine needles and leaves 5 feet from your home.
- Store firewood at least 30 feet from your home, preferably uphill, and never on or under your deck.
- Move items under your deck or porch to a storage area.
- Prune branches hanging over your roof and within 10 feet of your chimney.
- Remove flammable material within 6 vertical inches of your home’s siding.
- Mow grasses to 4 inches or less within 30 feet of your home.
- Clear brush, shrubs and other plants within 10 feet of propane tanks and gas meters.
- Screen attic, roof, eaves and foundation vents and wall-in areas below decks and stilt foundations with 1/8-inch metal mesh.
In addition to preparing one’s home, living wildfire ready means being ready to evacuate during a wildfire:
- Make an evacuation plan for people and pets.
- Prepare a go-bag and disaster supplies kit.
- Sign up for emergency notifications from your local office of emergency management.
- Ensure home address signs are visible from the street.
- Identify at least two ways out of your neighborhood and a safe place for you to go.
- Practice evacuating your home with your family and pets.
- Create a family emergency communication plan.
Campaign for Colorado
During Wildfire Awareness Month in May, local, state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations involved with wildfire safety and prevention will participate in the Live Wildfire Ready campaign. Now in its third year, the campaign funded by the State of Colorado shares actions Colorado residents can take to prepare their homes, property and communities for wildfire.
Live Wildfire Ready is directed through Colorado House Bill 24-1024. Efforts under the original legislation that launched the campaign, Senate Bill 22-007, are now complete. The final report showed that campaign tools in 2023 and 2024 garnered more than 18 million impressions, or views, across all outlets.
The campaign is stewarded by the Colorado State Forest Service, DFPC, USDA Forest Service, Colorado State Fire Chiefs, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Fire Adapted Colorado, Eagle County and West Metro Fire Rescue. It is supported by numerous other organizations. By working together, these entities have the goals of resilient, fire-adapted landscapes and communities that best provide for firefighter and public safety and protection of natural resources.For more about the campaign, visit LiveWildfireReady.org, or search for #LiveWildfireReady on Facebook and Instagram.