Home Ignition Zone Pilot Projects Underway in Red Feather Lakes Area
The Larimer County Conservation Corps (LCCC) Strike Team has been hard at work creating defensible space within home ignition zones (HIZ) on a few properties in each of the 4 communities within the RFL Area Wildfire Defense Project. These HIZ pilot projects will help us work out any kinks before the program is expanded to cover the greater Red Feather Lakes area. For the pilot, properties were chosen based on readiness, individuals in need, or those not physically able to complete the work. One such property belonged to a woman undergoing cancer treatment, and the HIZ work both made her home safer and generated enough firewood to supply the resident and a few of her neighbors. So far, HIZ pilot properties have been completed in Glacier View and Cherokee Meadows, with LCCC moving to Crystal Lakes next. Once the pilot program is complete, a larger program will be rolled out to assist 300-400 homes. Participating property owners will receive financial assistance to cover work on their property up to an amount determined by the Advisory Group, paid directly to the pre-approved contractor. To apply, homeowners in the project area should reach out to their local fire district to get a free HIZ assessment in anticipation of the rollout. This will be required for application when the program goes live. Properties will then be chosen based on risk, need, continuity between neighbors, and other factors.
About Home Ignition Zones & Defensible Space
Did you know? More than half of Colorado residents live in the wildland-urban interface and are at some risk of being affected by wildfire.
A main outcome of the Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project Reduction of risk to properties through the performance of property assessments and subsequent defensible space treatments, and a robust community understanding of home ignition zone concepts and best practices through training and educational outreach. Improved community resilience through the building of Wildfire Partners Program ambassador teams and community social capital.
The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) is the home and the area around the home (or structure). The HIZ takes into account both the potential of the structure to ignite and the quality of defensible space surrounding it.