Below average snowpack has raised wildfire concerns throughout Colorado and the West. You can reduce your risk by following these tips to help protect your family, home and property from wildfire.
How to Prepare Before a Wildfire
You may feel helpless against an encroaching wildfire, but there are plenty of things you can do to limit its damage. Here are some steps to follow if wildfire is a threat in your area.
- Install fire-resistant window treatments, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers throughout your home.
- Keep a garden hose that is long enough to reach the house and other structures on the property, as well as tools such as a ladder, shovel, rake, axe and water bucket.
- Install a back-up generator in case electrical power is shut off.
- Keep your property free of leaves, needles, hanging branches and other debris. (This includes the gutters and roof.)
- Maintain a minimum of 15 feet between tree crowns and trim tree limbs to 15 feet off the ground (or 1/3 total crown height, whichever is less). Thin and separate shrubs by a distance of at least twice their height. Remove any dead trees and vegetation from your property.
- Move firewood and flammable plants at least 30 feet away from your home.
- Maintain at least 100 feet of adequately watered space on level ground and 200 feet on sloped terrain around your house.
- Keep your grass short.
- Clear a 10-foot area around propane or oil tanks or around your barbecue area.
- Store valuable documents in a fire-resistant safe or an off-premise location.
- Post your house address so that it is readily visible from the street.
- Clear driveways as much as you can to accommodate large fire equipment. Make sure there is no flammable vegetation within 10 feet on both sides of the driveway and there are no overhanging obstructions within 15 feet.
- Have an emergency evacuation plan in place for your family and pets.
While all of these steps can help protect your family, home and property from damage caused by a wildfire, one of the best steps you can take is to find out if you're eligible for our complimentary Wildfire Defense Services through your insurance provider. Roaring Fork Insurance works with best-in-class insurance companies which offer these services. We would welcome the opportunity to quote your home and provide a full review of the Wildfire Defense Services available to you. For more information on wildfire defense please visit Chubb's website HERE.