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. 

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

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.

"During extreme or critical wildfire risk conditions, or if Xcel working near active wildfires, Xcel may need to temporarily turn off electric service to customers in targeted areas. This is a risk reduction strategy known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)." – Xcel Energy

• Easily track electric outages near you, get near real-time updates and find resources to keep you safe by using Xcel's Outage Map. 
• Xcel Energy’s Safe for Colorado program provides extra support to our Colorado residents with qualifying medical conditions.
• PSPS Backup Battery Rebate Program - Some customers in medium and high wildfire risk areas who use medical equipment that relies on electricity could be impacted by PSPS events. A whole home battery energy storage system can help provide power for medical equipment during a PSPS and give customers more time to plan to get to safety when a PSPS is required.
• RED Truck Program - Our Resources. Education. Delivered. (RED) Truck serves Colorado communities by offering free energy education services to help you manage your energy usage and control your energy bill. It provides direct customer support without the need for a phone or computer, making it easier for everyone to get the help they need. We’re committed to expanding our fleet to reach more customers and support all your energy assistance needs, from answering questions to helping you apply for assistance.

Emergency Preparedness for a PSPS

Emergency Preparedness Guidance from Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) on medical patients during PSPS: "If you or someone you know uses electric life support equipment, get help or go somewhere with electricity during an outage. In extremely hot weather, older adults or people sensitive to heat should go somewhere cool. Always call 911 in an emergency." - CDPHE

Health Facility Emergency Preparedness Resources: 

• CDPHE Emergency Resources for Medical Facilities 
• Extreme Heat Resources for Medical Facilities 

Home Health Providers Emergency Preparedness for their clients during emergencies:

• Power Outages and Medical Devices 
• How to Survive an Extended Power Outage with Home Medical Equipment
• Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices