Fall is for Wildfire Preparedness
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Dear Fellow Coloradan,
This past summer, Colorado experienced one of the most severe wildfire seasons on record. The Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs, in particular, reminded us that wildfires don’t stop at city limits – and residential areas near our forests, grasslands and public lands are at just as much risk as forestlands. Furthermore, roughly 40 percent of Coloradans live in the risky areas where human development meets or intermingles with undeveloped wildland and vegetative fuels, sometimes called the Wildland-Urban Interface. As we make our way through the fall months, now is the time to look ahead and do all we can to safeguard our homes and communities from the threat of future wildfires.
Simple and effective fire-mitigation methods do not always cost a lot of time or money. In fact, common-sense steps taken while doing your fall yard work can make an enormous difference in the long run.
- When working in your yard, focus on creating fuel-free zones 30 feet around your homes by keeping it clear of twigs and leaves. Rakes and weed-whackers are some of the best tools we have to increase the likelihood that our homes will survive a wildfire.
- When selecting landscaping and plants to place near your home, make sure they will not become a hazard in the event of a fire.
- Store firewood and other combustibles, such as gas tanks or wooden lawn chairs, away from your home. Doing so will help your structures survive future wildfires.
- Contact your local planning and zoning office to find out if your home is in a high-risk fire zone.
- You can also contact your homeowner’s association to determine how you can properly prepare for wildfire season within the parameter of regulations that will be helpful for you and your neighborhood.
Remember, since 85 percent of wildfires are caused by humans, let's also do everything we can to minimize activities that can increase the risk of fire. What can we do? To start, when building campfires, build away from overhanging branches, dry grass, leaves and steep slopes. When putting out a campfire, drown the fire, stir it and drown it again. And of course, never leave a fire unattended.
Now is also the time to inventory your belongings and carefully review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see what it covers. All you need is a few hours, a digital camera and a pad of paper. Comb through your belongings and set aside what receipts you can find. Store this information online, in a safe deposit box or somewhere off-site. If your home is damaged or lost during a fire, this is one of the best ways to financially protect yourself and help your family recover after a tragic fire. You can learn more about this process by visiting the Colorado Division of Insurance’s website.
And the threats posed by wildfires extend beyond the flames. The heat produced by a wildfire can chemically change the topsoil and inhibit its ability to absorb rain. As a result, areas in and around burn zones can easily become flood-prone. If you live in an area downstream of wildfire-prone areas, you should explore acquiring flood insurance via www.floodsmart.gov.
Wildfires are an unfortunate part of life in Colorado, which is why it is critically important we do all we can to prepare. This fall is the perfect time to assess our yards, gutters and areas around our structures to cut the risk of dead vegetation and debris turning into fuel for future wildfire. If we work together, we will be safer and more prepared to combat wildfires and minimize damage to our homes, businesses and communities.
For more information on how you can work on wildfire prevention for your home or in your community, please visit http://www.ready.gov/wildfires.
Warm regards,
