HOME HARDENING INFO: The Home Ignition Zone
To the right are several resources for your review:
Firewise principles for the entire home ignition zone - defined as 0-100 feet from your home. This includes a great infographic on tree spacing in each zone.
Next up, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) brochure on creating a meaningful home ignition zone. This is a longer booklet, but has great information on caring for various tree species!
The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Wildfire Prepared Homes Checklist AND the Wildfire Prepared Homes Certification. The Wildfire Prepared Homes Certification process is soon to be rolled out in Colorado - so why not check out their very extensive list.
Please note that the Wildfire Prepared Homes Checklist and Certification is mostly for the immediate 0-5 feet around your home. It is critical for success - work on the first 5 feet around your home first then work on your outer zones. Maintain your inner 0-5 foot zone throughout the year - with weekly checks during high fire danger alerts and wildfire weather alerts like a red flag alert.
Next, if you are curious, we have selected 3 great videos to enjoy.
For those who want the facts behind the mitigation guidelines given, please check out the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) published a report, "Application of Fire Mitigation to Insured Property Exposure" in November 2020. (Reference on the bottom right)
The NAIC have calculated a 75% lower risk for your home to burn down if you perform all home hardening projects and take care of your vegetation. Home hardening projects can lower your risk by 40% alone.
Please take a look through the materials we have provided for more information. The Institute for Insurance for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Wildfire Prepared Home checklist referenced below should be considered the most up to date standard. IBHS Wildfire Prepared Homes also includes "plus" projects you can add if desired. These projects are only listed on their website - also linked to the right.