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Increase the chances your home will survive the next wildfire event with these home safety products.

There is no way around it — Boulder County is wildfire territory. Although we can neither predict nor control Mother Nature, there are some steps homeowners can, and should, take to harden their homes against fire damage. Some of the important first steps include clearing your gutters of leaves and other flammable materials, maintaining your yard, and not allowing the brush to become overgrown as well as ensuring all materials that could add fuel to the wildfire, such as firewood, are stored away from your home.

Reflecting on the devastation of the Marshall Fire, many Boulder County residents expressed a desire for more hands-on management of their own home’s fire hazards. Wildfires are indiscriminate in their destruction, but there are some tools to help motivated homeowners increase the chances that their property is spared. It helps to have some control during an event that’s inherently unpredictable.

If you belong to a homeowner association, inquire about its architectural review process to make sure your proposed home improvements comply with HOA guidelines. Each city and home-owners association may have variable requirements. Many cities require HOA approval during the permitting process, so it is always smart to check with your local Planning or Community Development Department for clarification.

Additional fire mitigation steps for your home include clearing brush from against the house, spacing trees so canopies will not ignite each other, and replacing flammable materials when possible. We take a look at some of the most impactful products that can help keep your home and valuables safe.

Courtesy of Saws and Slaws

Volunteer with Saws and Slaws

One of the most unique ways to start working on fire mitigation is to join your local Saws and Slaws type organization for a hands-on community brush-clearing experience. This group of dedicated volunteers takes the time to clear away brush, remove branches, and maintain the property in exchange for a delicious free meal. Plus, they offer chainsaw safety classes to help a novice homeowner get started on their own landscape.

Courtesy of Consumer Fire Products, Inc.

Courtesy of Rock N Roll Stoneworks

Hardscape from Rock N Roll Stoneworks   

Fire can’t advance if there is no fuel to burn. Replace some of the greenery in your lawn with hardscape such as rocks or gravel. This not only saves you money on your water bill but can crucially prevent wildfire flames from becoming a structure fire. Rock N Roll Stoneworks in Lafayette works with you to craft a design that suits your stylistic taste as well as the added benefit of protecting your home from fire.

Courtesy of Frontline Wildfire System

Exterior roof sprinkler system from Frontline Wildfire System

Everyone knows you fight fire with water! Frontline Wildfire offers outside-of-home sprinklers available to cover your entire house. Think of those interior fire sprinklers but for the outdoors. Multiple sprinklers cover your eaves, roofs, and walls in an interconnected system. There is even an app that not only lets you remotely activate the system if needed but also alerts you of wildfires in your area so you have more time to be better prepared. Prices depend on several factors, but financing is available from as low as $200 a month for this impressive system.

Courtesy of McLean Forge and Welding

Metal Fencing from McLean Forge and Welding

Consider replacing your wooden fences with fire-resistant metal ones. Any wood, whether it is a structure or simply decoration, will literally add fuel to the fire. Eliminating these combustible sources will help improve your home’s defensibility, and ultimately, its survivability. Check out the inspirations from McLean Forge located in Boulder. Prices vary by style and length of fence.

Courtesy of Gutter Helmet

Gutter Guards by Gutter Helmet

The Boulder Fire Department says that gutters are often the first part of the outside of your home to ignite. Burning gutters falling down the face of your house will also ignite other locations, rapidly spreading the damage. Mitigate the potential damage by using Gutter Helmet Denver to guard your gutters against accumulating dry leaves and tinder along your roof. Without it, you are leaving tinder and fuel accumulating along some of the most dangerous parts of your home.

Courtesy of Western States Metal Roofing

Class A Roof from Western States Metal Roofing

Ensure your roof is well protected from falling embers driven by winds. There are several classes of roofing materials — make sure that you purchase Class A roofing materials that have a much higher chance of protecting your home. Consider using metal roofs for sheds and other home and garden structures, especially in wooded and high-fire areas. Western States Metal Roofing offers the perfect solution for hardening your home against fire.

Courtesy of Beauty Beyond Belief Wildflower Seed

Courtesy of SentrySafe