Firewise Tips for Wildfire Awareness Month

Written By Jen Lamborne

Did you know West Applewood is within Jeffco’s wildland-urban interface? Here’s a handy home safety checklist from Firewise USA to help make a home safer from embers and radiant heat. If your home doesn’t ignite, it can’t burn.

  • Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers

  • Replace or repair loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration

  • Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8-inch metal mesh screening

  • Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8-inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers

  • Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows

  • Screen or box in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating

  • Move anything that can burn away from wall exteriors, INCLUDING mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, and firewood

  • Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches

Zone 1 of the home ignition zone is the space within five feet of your house. Additional Zone 1 protection tips from West Metro Fire Rescue:

  • Use noncombustible hard surfaces such as concrete or gravel to prevent direct flame contact with home

  • Limit vegetation within this zone to species on Colorado’s Firewise plant list

  • Prune all plants and remove all dead branches and leaves

  • Remove any tree branches that overhang the roof

  • increase your Zone 1 width to 30 feet when your home sits atop a steep slope

Jen Lamborne
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