Prepare your home for wildfire
Our homes are the places most important to us. They connect us to our loved ones, neighborhoods, communities and entire personal histories. Yet a place that holds a lifetime of memories can be gone in seconds. Wildfire is a part of nature in Colorado, so take action to prepare your home and property for wildfire and start living wildfire ready.
Just under half of all Coloradans live in the wildland-urban interface and are at risk from wildfires.
Know Your Wildfire Risk
Grasses, shrubs and trees provide fuel for wildfires. If your home is located in or near the natural vegetation of Colorado’s grasslands, shrublands, foothills or mountains, you live in the wildland-urban interface and are at risk from a wildfire.
Start Living Wildfire Ready
You can do this! Preparing your home for wildfire can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Start with these simple, practical, low-cost actions.
By taking these actions, you will reduce the chances your home ignites during a wildfire and start to create a defensible space around your home.
Be ready before a wildfire
Living wildfire ready also means being prepared during a wildfire. Take these actions to be sure you are ready when the inevitable occurs.
- Make an evacuation plan with Ready, Set, Go! for people and pets.
- Prepare a go-bag and disaster supplies kit with Ready, Set, Go!
- 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.
Take it to the next level
The more you do to prepare and plan ahead, the more likely you, your family and your home will survive a wildfire.
Learn more actions you can take to reduce your wildfire risk from the Colorado State Forest Service, or consult a local fire department, office of emergency management or organization trained in wildfire mitigation practices where you live.
A local wildfire mitigation professional can provide a risk assessment specific to your home and property, help you connect with neighbors to create a fire-adapted community and provide access to local resources and funding opportunities.
Find Local Resources for Wildfire Mitigation
Resources are continually being updated. If your county is not listed, consult your local fire department, office of emergency management or organization trained in wildfire mitigation practices where you live.
It is ultimately your responsibility to protect your home and property from wildfire. But wouldn't you do anything to protect your everything?
It is ultimately your responsibility to protect your home and property from wildfire. But wouldn't you do anything to protect your everything?
Live Wildfire Ready is a program of the State of Colorado.
