3 Easy Ways To Help Protect Your Home From Wildfire Damage

Five wildfire outbreaks and menacing smoky skies this month have been a reminder that, during Colorado’s increasingly hot and dry summers, blazes can ignite and spread like, well, wildfire. Three of the blazes are now fully contained and firefighters are making progress on the Alexander Mountain fire in Larimer County and the Bucktail fire in Montrose County, but dozens of homes and buildings across the Front Range have been damaged or destroyed in the past few weeks.

Certain acts of God are of course out of our control, but is there anything Coloradans can do to protect their homes from wildfire damage? Jessica Towles, director of community experience and resident support at Sterling Ranch—a master-planned residential community near Chatfield State Park—says yes. Towles’ job responsibilities include outlining emergency processes and procedures for the neighborhood’s residents. “Our team works hand in glove with South Metro Fire District and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department to create and review emergency management plans and to educate our community members,” she says.

Here, Towles shares her top tips for mitigating the risk of wildfire destruction to your property.

Tidy Up

The thought of spending your weekend doing yard work might make you groan, but keeping your outdoor space clean could mean saving your home from a devastating blaze. “Spend time removing leaves, debris, and flammable landscaping from around your home to create a defensible space that is less likely to burn,” Towles says. “Clear decks, roofs, and gutters of debris like dried leaves or needles, and move combustible materials like firewood and fuel tanks away from the home.”

Rethink Your Landscaping

A freshly mulched flower bed may boost your home’s curb appeal, but choosing flammable landscaping materials could add fuel to a wildfire. “Use hard materials like rock mulch instead of wood mulch,” Towles says. She also recommends choosing naturally fire-resistant plants like lavender and honeysuckle rather than more combustible alternatives like juniper and rosemary.

Once your garden is sown, make sure to water plants and clear away dead vegetation frequently, Towles adds. “And keep trees trimmed and away from the home—especially from chimneys and stovepipes.”

Make Materials Top of Mind

The next time your home’s exterior needs a tune-up, be sure to choose flame-resistant building materials. “Some easy changes include replacing wood fencing with metal or concrete options or using wood that is pressure-treated to be fire-retardant,” Towles says. When it’s time to replace your roof, opt for shingles with a Class A rating, which indicates that the roof can withstand severe fire exposure.

And if you’re building new? “Both stucco and brick are fire-resistant materials that can help protect your home’s exterior,” Towles says.