Protecting your Colorado property from fire may not always be possible 100% of the time. However, there are many things that you can do to become "Fire Wise" and reduce the risk of loosing your home or property to wildfires. Colorado’s climate is quite arid and that causes all landowners in the state to be vulnerable to fires. Before you build a home or weekend getaway cabin on your new property, you should consider some of the following fire protection measures.
Create a Defensible Space around Your Home
A defensible space is an area that is man made or natural around your structure that has been cleared of vegetation and other fuels that could spread fire to your structures. This also creates a space where fire suppression operations can be carried out by fire fighter crews and their equipment. Another reason to create a defensible space is to keep a fire that started in your structure from spreading to the rest of your ranch land. Trees and other vegetation should be thinned starting from the structure then out each direction for about 75 feet. Vegetation and fuels should be completely cleared from the structure out 15 feet. All grass and weeds should be mowed or chopped to a height of around six inches from the structure out to around15 to 30 feet from the structure. Finally remove all slash and debris left over from thinning and mowing by hauling it away, piling it or burning it. Check with your local fire department for burning regulations and restrictions.
Creating Firefighting Personnel and Equipment Access
Firefighters must be able to immediately find and access your land or home to save it from wildfires. You should have a good access route or routes with turn outs or "places to turn vehicles around" cut at regular intervals. Your properties routes and roads should be 20 feet wide providing enough space to let passing emergency vehicles and cars through. Remember, fire and rescue trucks are larger than your family car so weak bridges and steep driveways can prevent quick access to your home. Bridges should be built to carry at least 40,000 pounds. Clearly marked street signs and home addresses can go a long way in helping rescuers and firefighters reach you and your property. All letters and numbers should be a minimum of four inches tall and visible from all directions of the home for at least 150 feet. Each street or road on your property should have its own uniquely named sign. The sign should be made from fire resistant materials. If your home or structure is set back from the road then a sign with your address on it should be placed at the entrance of your driveway.
Establish Your Emergency Water Supply
If your Colorado ranch land or home is isolated from others, you should have a personal emergency water supply. It is recommended to have a water storage supply of at least 2,500 gallons for emergencies. Some times it might be more economical and feasible to share a common emergency water storage facility with a close neighbor. If you get your water from a well it is recommended to have a gasoline powered generator so that firefighters can operate the well pump if the power fails.
These are just a few tips to consider when landscaping or building roads and structures on your Colorado land. For more information on suggested types of trees and shrubs to plant for "Fire Wise" landscaping or what kinds of "Fire Wise" home building materials to use, visit the Colorado State Forest Service web site.
