Even in the Fall, as winter approaches, if the weather is hot, dry, we cannot let our guard down with regard to wildfire risk and mitigation.

Fire safety tips to stay safe and be prepared!

• Always call 911 to report a fire.
• Stay updated on changing weather conditions by following the US National Weather Service Denver/Boulder Colorado.
• Know What a Red Flag Warning Means... Wildfires may start and spread rapidly today due to dry vegetation, gusty winds, and low humidity. Avoid any activity that may create a spark and start a wildfire, and be ready to take action should a wildfire start nearby and/or evacuation orders are given.
• Sign up to receive emergency notifications. Sign up your cell phone for CodeRED alerts by visiting www.gcemergency.com in Grand County and Community Notification Enrollment (coderedweb.com) in Summit County
• Familiarize yourself with the Grand County Evacuation Map if you are in Grand County: Map.
• Learn more about wildfire prevention and preparedness by visiting the Grand County Wildfire Council or Summit County Wildfire Council.
• Read the Ultimate Wildfire Guides for Grand and Summit Counties.
• If camping in designated campgrounds where campfires are allowed, make sure your campfire is completely out and cold before leaving.

Fall Mitigation Actions

• Clear debris and leaf litter from the roof, gutters, and decks
• Remove combustible items that from under the decks
• Mow grass to 4" or less within 30 feet of your home
• Remove dead trees and shrubs that are within 30 feet of the home
• Create a debris-free and non-combustible perimeter within 5 feet of the home
• Move firewood piles to 30 feet away from the home until we get more snow on the ground.
• Prune trees and shrubs and remove "ladder fuels" (lower limbs and tall grasses under trees)
• Give your evergreen trees a drink, BUT junk the juniper bushes
• Prepare for burn season by building your slash piles. Slash Pile Construction Guide
• Work on "Home Hardening" Projects
  • WINDOWS: Install metal screens
  • VENTS: Install metal mesh screens that are 1/8- inch or less to prevent ember entry and ignition from the inside out
  • GARAGE: Install weather stripping around & under vehicle access doors. Do not store combustibles or flammable liquids near combustion equipment (e.g. a hot water heater)
  • CHIMNEY: Cover chimney and stovepipe outlets with a noncombustible screen of 1⁄4-inch wire mesh to reduce size/energy of embers leaving the chimney.

Halloween Advice

• Use battery-operated candles rather than wax candles
• If using wax candles,
  • Do not put jack-o-lanterns on the ground by combustibles (dead grass, leaves, shrubs)
  • Extinguish lit jack-o-lanterns before going to bed
• Use LED options for outdoor decorations
• Rake fallen leaves away from lit or mechanical decorations