Willow Brook Metropolitan District

Are You Wildfire Ready?

We are  receiving a variety of wildfire-related alerts  including Fire Danger Ratings, Fire Weather Watches, Red Flag Warnings, Xcel Energy wildfire-related power notices, and Summit County Fire Restrictions.

This page provides a practical summary of what those alerts mean and what actions you should consider before conditions become urgent.

Start Here: What Should We Do Now

• Stay aware of current fire danger and Summit County fire restrictions.
• Make sure household members know how they will receive emergency notifications.
• Prepare for possible power outages during elevated wildfire conditions.
• Review evacuation routes and identify more than one way out of the area.
• Keep vehicles fueled or charged during periods of high fire danger.
• Prepare a go-bag with essential items, medications, pet supplies, important documents, and communication devices.
• Follow instructions from Summit County, local fire officials, law enforcement, and emergency management agencies.
• Maintain the immediate 0-5 foot zone around the house - this is the most important zone.

Common Alerts and What They Mean

USFS Fire Danger Ratings

Fire Danger Ratings are updated regularly and help describe how easily fires may start and spread based on weather, fuel conditions, and other factors.

When fire danger is elevated, residents should:

• use extra caution with any activity that could create sparks, heat, or open flame.
• have hightened awareness to potentially evacuate

 

National Weather Service Fire Weather Watch

A Fire Weather Watch means that weather conditions may develop within 72 hours that could create dangerous wildfire conditions. This is a time to prepare, check supplies, review evacuation plans, and monitor updates.

National Weather Service Red Flag Warning

A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are expected or already occurring. These conditions may include low humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, and other factors that can cause fires to start and spread quickly.

During a Red Flag Warning, residents should:

• Avoid outdoor activities that could cause sparks or ignition and should be ready to act quickly if conditions change.
• Walk around the house - make sure immediate (0-5 foot) zone is completely clear of combustibles
• Make sure you are ready to implement your personal wildfire plan: evacuations, meetups, go-bags

Xcel Energy Wildfire Measures 

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) are triggered when conditions are high, but not extreme enough to shut down an entire grid.  During EPSS, the power lines are set to automatically shut off when disturbed - i.e. if tree branch touches the line in the wind, the power line will shut off automatically. Thus, the power is out for the area fed by that line. Once power is off, it is not restored until all lines affected are visually inspected.  Xcel is using drones and other innovative ways to check lines faster, but they also have to repair what they find before they can restore power.

Public Safety Power Shutoff’s (PSPS) occur when Xcel determines an extreme fire danger. During a PSPS, Xcel shuts power to entire grids to prevent a power line from starting a fire.

Gas lines are turned off by Xcel during evacuations, so we do not need to turn off the gas line to our homes before we evacuate.

Summit County Fire Restrictions

Summit County may implement fire restrictions when wildfire risk increases. These restrictions may limit or prohibit outdoor fires, fireworks, charcoal grills, smoking in certain areas, shooting, welding, and other activities that could increase wildfire risk.

Because fire restrictions can change, we  should always check the current Summit County guidance before starting any outdoor activity involving flame, sparks, or heat. The County Commissioners adjusts their restrictions based on expert reccomendations, particularly when fires are nearby and use up limited state and local resources. 

Ready, Set, Go!

The Ready, Set, Go! program provides a simple framework for wildfire preparedness. Links to useful websites like the Ready Set Go website and Ready.gov are at the bottom of this page. 

Ready: Prepare Before There Is an Emergency

Be ready before a fire starts. Prepare your home, property, family, pets, and vehicles in advance.

Recommended actions include:

• Prepare and maintain your immediate zone first (0-5 feet), then you can work on your intermediate zone (5-30 feet) and extended zone (30-100 feet.). Your immediate zone is the most important zone to protect your home.
• Create and review a household evacuation plan.
• Prepare emergency supplies and go-bags.
• Identify multiple evacuation routes.
• Make sure pets and livestock are included in your plan.
• Keep important documents accessible.
• Stay signed up for emergency alerts.

Set: Have things ready to evacuate

Get "set" when Fire Danger is high, a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning is issued, fire restrictions are in place, or wildfire activity is occurring nearby.

Recommended actions include:

• Monitor official updates.
• Keep phones charged.
• Be sure your vehicles are ready to leave.
• Confirm household members know the plan.
• Keep go-bags near the door or in the car.
• Prepare for possible power outages. Have car outside if you are unable to open garage door manually.
• Be ready to leave if instructed.
• Walk your 0-5 foot immediate zone and make sure it is clear of combustibles.

Go: Leave Early!

LEAVE EARLY - the #1 cause of death is leaving too late.

Go when evacuation orders are issued or when conditions make it unsafe to stay. Do not wait until roads are congested or visibility is poor.

Follow directions from emergency officials and leave early enough to keep yourself, your household, first responders, and the community safe.

Pay tribute to our late-great friend, neighbor, and most experienced evacuation expert, David Radlauer (having evacuating several hurricanes in New. Orleans and fires here.)

 

Copyright Willow Brook Metro District.  Published and distributed 07/02/2026.