Wildfire Home Protection
Wildland/Urban Interface
Fire Prevention & Mitigation
We're Number 1!
The Bad News is that El Paso County was rated the #1 County in the State in susceptibility to a Wildland/Urban Interface Fire, in a recent Colorado Forest Service/Colorado State University study.
The Wildland/Urban Interface includes those areas where formerly urban structures - mainly residences - are built close to, or in areas containing flammable fuels naturally found in wildland areas. These fuels are located in forests, prairies, hillsides and valleys.
The results of such building can be aesthetically desirable...or disastrous.
We can better achieve the desirable aspects by better understanding the potential dangers and preventing or preparing for them.
How? If you live in one of these areas, here's what you can do to reduce the risk of losing your home:
- Create DEFENSIBLE SPACE around your house to help the firefighters save your home, if necessary.
1. Thin tree and brush cover.
2. Dispose of slash and debris left from thinning.
3. Remove dead limbs, leaves and other litter.
4. Stack firewood away from your home.
5. Maintain an irrigated greenbelt.
6. Mow dry grasses and weeds.
7. Prune branches to 10' above the ground.
8. Trim branches.
9. Clean roof and gutters.
10. Reduce density of surrounding forest.
- Use non-combustible or fire-resistant building materials, especially on the roof.
- Install chimney screen or spark arrestor.
- Enclose porches, foundation, roof & attic openings to keep debris from gathering underneath or firebrands from entering
- Protect windows & sliding glass doors with nonflammable shutters & provide fire resistant drapes or blinds on the interior
- Inspect & clean your chimney on a regular basis.
- Dispose of leaves & debris at the County Slash Disposal sites. (Contact Solid Waste Management at 575-8450 for specifics). Note: Open Burning is Prohibited in most areas.
- Form a fire protection or forestry committee in your neighborhood to organize and oversee needed projects and activities in your subdivision.
- Thin dense stands of trees and brush in common ground and greenbelts.
- Use "fuel breaks" like driveways, gravel walkways and lawns.
- Carefully space planted trees.
- Take out the "ladder fuels" ....that vegetation that serves as a link between grass and treetops.
- Make sure that your house number is clearly displayed at the main entrance to your property.
- Install smoke detectors.
- Have and practice a home exit plan.
This information was provided by the Pikes Peak Wildfire Prevention Partners, a consortium of Homeowners Associations, Fire Departments and Districts, US and State Forest Officials, and private and public agencies with an interest in reducing the threat of devastating wildfire. For further information, or to schedule a speaker for your organization, or a display for a related event, contact your Fire Department .
El Paso County Sheriff's Office Wildland Fire Suppression Firewise