Ongoing drought and warmer temperatures elevate wildfire risk for many Coloradans, and wildfires now occur year-round in the state.
The month of May is Wildfire Awareness Month, an annual observance in Colorado to encourage residents to better prepare their homes, property and communities for wildfire. With more than half of all Coloradans living in the wildland-urban interface and being susceptible to wildfire, it’s important for people to take action to reduce their wildfire risk and create more fire-adapted communities.
To encourage more residents to prepare for wildfire, local, state and federal entities that man- age wildfires in Colorado have launched Live Wildfire Ready, which is directed and funded by the state of Colorado through Senate Bill 22-007 and developed by the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, USDA Forest Service and Colorado State Fire Chiefs (CSFC).
“Wildfires are a vital part of the natural cycle that keeps Colorado’s forests healthy. Yet persistent drought combined with a warming climate has led to more frequent and more destructive wildfires. If you’re a Coloradan living in a wildfire prone area, being prepared must become second nature,” said Matt McCombs, state forester and director of the CSFS.
The following are some simple, practical, relatively low-cost actions that Coloradans can take to prepare their homes and property for wildfire:
- 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:
- Ensure home address signs are clearly visible from the street.
- Sign up to register for emergency notifications and encourage your friends, family and neighbors to do the same.
- Confirm at least one alternate path out of your neighborhood other than the one most commonly used and be prepared for potential evacuation requiring the alternative route.
“No person or community is exempt when it comes to wildfire preparedness. We are committed to helping individuals understand that everyone plays a role in mitiga- tion, what to do to reduce the risk of wildfire, and what must be done in the event of an emergency,” said CSFC President Kristy Olme.