Wildfire Mitigation

Defensible Space and Home Ignition Zone Information

For mountain residents of unincorporated Boulder County, the second page of the May 2013 Notice of Value from the Assessor’s Office includes the "Your Wildfire Defensible Space" PDF with an aerial photo of their property and their wildfire defensible space zones. The Land Use Department is providing this photo as an educational tool to help residents prepare for future wildfires. (View a sample aerial photo).

The Fourmile Fire taught us that wildfire disasters cannot be prevented without homeowners actively creating and maintaining effective defensible space and safe home ignition zones. Every year, more and more homeowners are taking personal responsibility and performing wildfire mitigation measures. With these maps, the County is hoping to encourage residents to take additional action and significantly improve the chances that their homes will survive future wildfires.

To view your Wildfire Defensible Space PDF, go to Online Notice of Value and enter your Account Number and PIN from your Notice of Value postcard. Then click on “E-NOV Image,” which will display your Notice of Value statement (page 1) and "Your Wildfire Defensible Space" (page 2) in PDF format. There is also a QR code on the postcard which will take smartphone and tablet users to their online Notice of Value. After scanning the QR code, click the “E-NOV Image” link to view the PDF.

Please view the slideshow below or the "Your Wildfire Defensible Space" PDF (3.1 MB) to learn actions you can take to improve the chances of your home surviving a wildfire. The slideshow offers a quick overview, while the PDF contains more in-depth guidelines. After viewing the slideshow or PDF, please see the "Wildfire Mitigation Information" links below for more information.

For more information, or for help in accessing your Wildfire Defensible Space information, contact the Wildfire Mitigation Team at 303-441-3930 or wildfiremitigation@bouldercounty.org.

Wildfire Mitigation Information

These three resources offer the quickest overview for planning, creating and maintaining effective defensible space:

What is Wildfire Mitigation?

Wildfire Mitigation is the implementation of various measures designed to minimize the destructive effects a wildfire has on your property. Some measures are designed to modify the forest environment surrounding a structure that puts the structure at risk from destruction by a wildfire. Others focus on modifying the construction of a structure itself or changing its location to improve its ability to withstand a wildfire without being dependent upon fire suppression resources.

Who Does Wildfire Mitigation?

Anyone who owns a home in forested or otherwise fire-prone areas should consider the hazard presented to their property by a wildfire and should attempt to mitigate its effects. By doing wildfire mitigation work, homeowners can substantially increase their safety and reduce the risk to life and property. However, given the unpredictable nature and behavior of wildfire, it should be noted that there are no guarantees.

Additional Resources

For more information on wildfire mitigation and forest health, visit the Wildfire & Forest Health page, or contact the Wildfire Mitigation Team at 303-441-3930 or wildfiremitigation@bouldercounty.org.

Contacts

Land Use Wildfire Mitigation

Email
Main: 303-441-3930
Fax: 303-441-4856

Courthouse Annex Building

2045 13th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F
Closed Tuesdays 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
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Mailing Address

PO Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306
www.bouldercounty.org

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