What is Defensible Space?

Defensible Space is the area around a home (or structure) that has been modified to reduce fire hazard by creating space between potential fuel sources. The two primary determinants of a home’s ability to survive a wildfire include the structure’s ignitability and the quality of the surrounding defensible space. Together, these two factors create a concept called the home ignition zone, or HIZ. It includes the structure and the space immediately surrounding it.

Creating Defensible Space involves establishing a series of zones. 

Zone 1: 0-5 feet from home
The area nearest the home. This zone requires the most vigilant work in order to reduce or eliminate ember ignition and direct flame contact with your home.

Zone 2: 5-30 feet from home
The area transitioning away from the home where fuels should be reduced. This zone is designed to minimize a fire’s intensity and its ability to spread while significantly reducing the likelihood a Zone 2 structure ignites because of radiant heat. 

Zone 3: 30-100 feet from home (or to property line)
The area farthest from the home. Efforts in this zone are focused on ways to keep fire on the ground and to get fire that may be active in tree crowns (crown fire) to move to the ground (surface fire), where it will be less intense and easier to control. 

Develop these zones around each building on your property, including detached garages, storage buildings, barns and other structures. Read more about your Home Ignition Zone by clicking HERE. 

Best Practices to reduce structural ignitability:

• Ensure the roof has a Class A fire rating
• Remove all leaves, needles and other debris from all decks, roofs and gutters
• Screen attic, roof, eaves and foundation vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh
• Screen or wall-in stilt foundations and decks with 1/8-inch metal mesh
• Keep areas on top of and under decks clear of combustible material. 
• Use tempered glass for windows; two or more panes are recommended
• Create 6 inches of vertical clearance between the ground and home siding
• Replace combustible fencing or gates, at least within 5 feet of the home.
• Grass mowed to a minimum of four inches. 
• Limb up the bottom 1/3 of trees. Trim dead branches and remove trees with dead tops. 

Colorado Income Tax Subtraction for Wildfire Mitigation Measures

Colorado allows an income tax subtraction for wildfire mitigation measures performed on property located in Colorado. For tax years 2023 through 2025, an income tax credit is also allowed for performing wildlife mitigation measures. Both the subtraction and the credit are allowed to qualifying taxpayers who incur actual out-of-pocket expenses for wildfire mitigation measures on their property. A taxpayer who meets all applicable requirements may claim both the subtraction and the credit for the costs they incur in performing wildfire mitigation measures.

HB24-1091 Fire-Hardened Building Materials in Real Property

Bill Summary: The act generally prohibits covenants and other restrictions that disallow the installation, use, or maintenance of fire-hardened building materials in residential real property, including in common interest communities. However, the act allows a unit owners' association of a common interest community to develop reasonable standards regarding the design, dimensions, placement, or external appearance of fire-hardened building materials used for fencing within the community.

The thought of experiencing an emergency can feel frightening. But having a plan in place is empowering! 

Wildfire Action Plan

Your Wildfire Action Plan must be prepared well before a wildfire occurs. Each family’s plan will be different, depending on various needs, conditions and personal situations. 
What it should include:

1. Meeting Point - Have a predetermined meeting location outside high-risk areas in case you are all not home at the start of the emergency.
2. Escape Routes - Have at least 2 escape routes out of your neighborhood. Practice these often so everyone in your family knows where to go. 
3. Animal Arrangements - Specific arrangements for pets and larger animals, like horses and other livestock.
4. Communication Plan - A family communication strategy names someone outside the area to be the main contact point for all family members if you get separated or have trouble with phone networks.

Tips: 

• Consider your individual situation. Who is in your family and what are their specific needs? 
• Ensure that your family knows where your gas, electric, and water main shut-off controls are located and how to safely shut them down in an emergency.

Planning for Communication 

Communication networks such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops, could be unreliable during disasters, and electricity could be disrupted. Planning in advance will help ensure that all household members know how to reach each other and where to meet up in an emergency.

•  Maintain a paper list of emergency contact numbers posted near your phone and in your emergency supply kit.
• Out-of-town contact needs to be identified and added to your plan.
• Identify a Meeting Place - Have one inside your neighborhood and outside the neighborhood if evacuated and cannot get back to your home. 

 

 

 

Text is Best
If you use a cell phone, a text message may get through when a phone call will not. A text message requires far less bandwidth than a phone call. Text messages may also save and send automatically when capacity becomes available.

Click HERE to Get "Tech Ready" with READY.GOV. 

Planning for Families with Children 

A Parent’s Guide to Fire Safety for Babies and Toddlers
The U.S. Fire Administration’s information site for parents and caregivers to help prevent fire death of young children.

Smokey Kids
U.S. Forest Service’s interactive Smokey Bear site with games, information and resources on how to prevent forest fires.

Children's Colorado
Visit ChildrensColorado.org for tips on how to talk to kids about upsetting or scary news.

 

Ready.gov Kids 
FEMA’s site for older kids to prepare and plan for a disaster. Includes safety steps, tips, and games to help children learn about and be ready for an emergency. 

Planning for Livestock 

Do NOT wait until last minute to evacuate your animals! Leave early.

 

• It is important to clear defensible space around your barns, pastures, and property just as you do your home.
• Plan and know where you would evacuate the animals.
• Contact your local fairgrounds, stockyards, equestrian centers, friends, etc., about their policies and ability to take livestock temporarily in an emergency.
• Have several evacuation routes in mind.
• If you don’t have your own truck and trailer, make arrangements with local companies or neighbors before disaster strikes.
• Make sure your neighbor has your contact numbers (cell phone, work, home)
• Have vaccination/ medical records, registration papers, photographs of your animals (proof of ownership), and your Disaster Preparedness Kit.

Locate and prearrange an evacuation site for your animals outside of your immediate area. Possible sites include: show grounds, fairgrounds, veterinary colleges, racetracks, pastures, stables,  equestrian centers , livestock corrals,  stockyards, auction facilities or other boarding facilities. 

If you must leave your animals, put them in a preselected, cleared area. Leave enough hay for 48 to 72 hours. Do not rely on automatic watering systems as power may be lost.