Planning for our Wildfire Season - March 2026
Dear Neighbors of Willow Brook Metro District,
We are writing to you today as partners in your safety. While we cherish the lifestyle that drew us to Ruby Ranch, our dry winter after last year’s dry summer has left us with conditions this spring where our landscape is significantly drier than normal. Every sign is this will be a terrible wildfire season, and we all must prepare. Many communities across the State have already implemented restrictions.
The historically low snowpack means that fuels across the landscape and surrounding your home - the grasses, brush and leaf litter - will dry out weeks early, increasing the potential for an early and intense fire season and putting the investment in your home at elevated risk.
We want to remind you that Wildfire mitigation is not about preventing a forest fire; it is about "hardening" your home so it can survive an ember shower or a passing ground fire without professional intervention. Fire fighters will be stretched thin across the State and may not respond promptly to our needs if they are occupied elsewhere.
You need start to prepare today:
1. Register for the new Summit County Alerts system.
2. Start to fire harden your home now. Chipping piles are only a part of it - there are a lot of other things to do. You can read about home hardening on our website.
3. Create a comprehensive household evacuation plan. You can read more about evacuation planning at Ready.gov. or check the Summit County Fire and EMS checklist.
4. Ensure your address sign is visible from the road, noncombustible and reflective.
5. Request a Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Evaluation. Summit Fire and EMS offers a free service. You may also find a private resource.
This year, the stakes are higher than ever. Please lead by example and share these concerns with your neighbors. By taking a proactive approach on your property and in your community today, you are not just protecting your own home… you are protecting your neighbors, your water supply and the first responders who serve us.
Ed Levy and Lisa Lewis will attend the 2026 Fire Adapted Colorado Wildlands Fire Conference in Ft. Collins. We will send further newsletters with current updates.