Rotary Wildfire Ready
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CREATE A DEFENSIBLE SPACE

What is a defensible space?
​ 
​Defensible space is essential to improve your home's chances of surviving a wildfire.   It's the buffer you create between the flammable vegetation, like trees, grass and shrubs around your home.  

Defensible Space Zones 


Three zones make up the recommended 300 feet of defensible space.  
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Zone 1:  0-30 feet around your home 


The goal is to reduce flammable materials near your house 
Zone 1:   0-30 feet of reduced fuel 
  • Use fire-resistant plants and shrubs
  • Use low-grow, drought-resistant grasses and keep mowed to 4 inches
  • Remove Conifers, Junipers and Gamble Oak trees 
  • No shrubs or small trees underneath taller trees

Zone 1A:   0-5' feet - Noncombustible Area 
  • Create a noncombustible 5 feet border around your home
  • Remove all pine needles, dead leaves and plants
  • No flammable shrubs
  • Replace flammable mulch with gravel or rock

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Zone 2:  30-100' feet of reduced fuel 


The goal is to reduce heat and movement of flame
approaching ​your home.
 
  • Firewood stored at least 30' feet away from home - even further if your home is on a slope
  • Reduce heavy accumulations of slash (dead branches, twigs, pine needles, etc.). 
  • Strategically remove flammable plants like Western Juniper, Cypress, Gambel or Scrub Oak, Pinyon Pines
  • Prune limbs of trees at least 10 feet or 1/3 the height of the tree, whichever is less
  • Trees should be spaced out at least 10 feet between each tree's outermost branches -even more if your home is on a steep slope. 
  • No shrubs or small trees underneath taller trees.  

Zone 3:  100' - 300' feet of reduced fuel


The goal is to reduce fire intensity 
  • Fire intensity can be increased if your property has steep slopes and a dense forest.  If present, you should consult with a qualified wildfire and forestry professional.   

Learn More in these helpful Videos  

Guide for property owners to build effective defensible space 
Colorado State University Extension 
​Home Hardening & Defensible Space 
National Fire Protection Association -
Your Home Can Survive a Wildfire 

Important Steps You Can Take to Create Defensible Space. 

Eliminate Ladder Fuels 

A wildfire is easier if it remains on the ground.   When a surface fire ignites, small trees and shrubs under larger trees can create a ladder for fire to spread into the upper branches of a large tree.  Wildfires that are carried in tops of large trees are referred to as crown fires and are much harder to contain.    To help interrupt the spread of wildfire, eliminate small trees or shrubs that are located underneath larger trees.  
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Maintain at Least 10' of Crown Spacing - more if your on a slope 

The crown of a tree is the widest area of a tree.      To help slow the spread of wildfire, it's critical to have enough spacing between trees to reduce the threat of crown fires.    Experts recommend a spacing of a minimum of 10' between the widest part of trees.   If you live on a slope,  the suggested spacing can be 20' or more.      
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Use Fire-Resistant Landscaping 

Remember, any plant can burn under the right conditions.  One way to help reduce your wildfire risk is to use fire-resistant landscaping around your home.  

Look for plants with these characteristics:
  • Able to store water in the leaves and stems
  • Maintain high moisture content with limited watering
  • Drought tolerant
  • Low levels of volatile oils or resins
  • Product limited dead materials
  • Remove any dead portions of fire resistant plants.  

Defensible Space Brochure 

Colorado State Forestry
​Defensible Space Guidelines 

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ROTARY WILDFIRE READY 

Rotary Wildfire Ready is a community-based project designed to increase wildfire awareness and education, and to help make our mountain communities safer from the threat of wildfire.    Rotary Wildfire Ready is funded through the Evergreen Rotary Foundation which is a 501(3)(c) Colorado nonprofit and is comprised of a working group that includes: 
  • Rotary Club of Evergreen
  • Rotary Club of Mountain Foothills
  • Rotary Club of Conifer
  • Community Leaders in Evergreen, Conifer and Bailey, Colorado

  • Home
  • Wildfire Threat
  • Get Notified !
  • Get Ready !
    • Defensible Space
    • Harden Your Home
    • Fire Resistant Landscaping
  • Get Set !
    • Emergency "Go Bag"
    • Wildfire Action Plan
    • Inventory Your Home
  • Go !
    • Pre-Evacuation Preparations
    • What to Wear
    • Evacuation Steps
  • About Us
  • Donate