Protecting Your Colorado Home from Wildfires
Protecting Your Home Colorado homeowners face significant wildfire risks due to the state's climate, topography, and vegetation patterns. Creating defensible space around your home forms the foundation of effective wildfire protection. This starts with Zone 1 (0-5 feet from your house), which should remain completely clear of flammable materials, using gravel or hardscaping instead. Zone 2 extends from 5 to 30 feet and requires maintaining well-spaced vegetation with trees pruned for 10-foot crown separation to prevent fire spread. The outermost Zone 3 (30-100+ feet) needs selective tree thinning while preserving privacy and natural habitat. Home hardening represents another crucial aspect of wildfire protection. Replace vulnerable wood shake roofs with Class A fire-resistant materials like composite shingles, metal, or tile. Cover all vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh to block ember entry, as embers often travel miles ahead of the main fire. Install multi-paned windows with temp...