Ready, Set, Get After It!

This past winter has left our Canyon significantly drier than we have seen in many years. With these dry conditions comes an increased risk of wildfire, and many experts are forecasting an active fire season ahead.

In May, several Community Ambassadors and our Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office / Coal Creek Canyon Fire Protection District CWPP Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator, Rebecca Fisher, attended a Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Assessment workshop hosted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The two-day training brought together wildfire mitigation professionals from across Colorado to focus on one of the most important lessons learned from recent wildfires: homes are often lost not from direct flames, but from embers.

Again and again throughout the workshop, one message stood out above all others:

The most important area to focus mitigation efforts is Zone 1 — the first five feet surrounding your home.

Research from wildfires across the western United States continues to show that embers can travel long distances ahead of a fire front and ignite vulnerable materials around a home. Small accumulations of pine needles in gutters, dry leaves under decks, combustible mulch, patio furniture cushions, bird nests in shrubs, or debris caught in siding gaps can all become ignition points.

Even homes with stucco or other non-wood siding remain vulnerable if combustible materials are located too close to the structure.

Some of the most common Zone 1 hazards include:

• Pine needles and leaves in gutters, corners, and window wells

• Mulch, firewood, or other combustible materials next to the home

• Overgrown shrubs or vegetation containing dead material

• Furniture cushions, doormats, and decorative items stored against siding

• Wood fencing directly connected to the home

• Debris accumulation under decks, stairs, and porches

The workshop reinforced a simple but important approach:

Start with Zone 1 first.Once the immediate area around the home is addressed, move outward to Zone 2 (5–30 feet) and Zone 3 (30–100 feet).

While large-scale forest mitigation projects are important, the condition of the first five feet around your home may be the single most important factor in determining whether your home can survive a wildfire ember storm.

If you would like help assessing your property or scheduling a Home Ignition Zone Assessment, please reach out to your Community Ambassador. Additional resources are also available through the Colorado State Forest Service Home Ignition Zone Guide, which provides practical information on home hardening and mitigation strategies for all three zones.

Also, don’t forget the upcoming Slash Collection Day at Fire Station #2 on Saturday, June 27, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Many properties still have slash from recent windstorms and removing that material is another great step toward reducing wildfire risk. We especially love seeing fresh green slash — a sign that proactive mitigation work is happening throughout the Canyon.

If you have questions about wildfire mitigation, need assistance evaluating your property, or would like to connect with your local CWPP Ambassador, please visit Coal Creek Canyon CWPP and send us a message.

See you around the Canyon!