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Feb

For questions about fire mitigation in Boulder, contact us at (719)400-9104.

Getting the zones around your home ready in the event of a fire is essential. In addition to fire mitigating your property, you need to make sure your landscape is designed to prevent the spread, making it harder for fires to find fuel and become out of control.

There are different steps you can take depending on the size of your property. Here are the top firewise landscaping tips to manage your property.

Mow, Water, and Maintain

When it comes to the area within the first 30 feet of your home or so, you need to make sure you do regular maintenance. Mowing your lawn is one of the best and easiest things you can do. You get rid of the large blades of grass, offering less fuel for the fire.

You’ll also want to make sure your plants and trees are watered as much as possible. The damper the area, the harder it is for fire to spread.

It’s also important to maintain the decking and the gutters. Remove dead vegetation and any leaf clutter. Get rid of overhanging branches, especially if they’re close to your home.

Have the Right Plants

It’s also important to consider the plants growing in the area. You want a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees, offering good vegetation throughout the year.

However, the last thing you want is for the trees to touch. You don’t need to cut down the whole tree if you can prune it back. Offer some space between the crowns of the trees, minimizing the risk of the fire spreading. If you can’t trim back, you’ll need to get selective about some of the trees you do need to remove.

The spacing between the trees should be at lease 30 feet. If one tree catches fire, there’s little chance that it will spread to another tree in the area. If you have overhanging branches around your home, get rid of them completely.

You’ll also want to think of the height of the limbs. The higher the better. If there’s a limb that is less than 6 feet from the ground, get rid of it. The fire will climb up the tree from the ground.

Get the Base Right

You want to think about the area around the roots. While you want good soil to keep the tree healthy, you also want to prevent weeds growing or problems with vegetation. You’ll want to think about the mulch to make sure it’s non-flammable.

Flagstone pavers and gravel are popular and affordable options. Flagstone tends to be the easiest to pick up any dead leaves that fall, but gravel or rocks can be manageable. The materials don’t allow fire to spread easily, so you can protect the base of your tree from damage.

It’s time to get your area protected from fires. With the above firewise landscaping tips, you’re a step closer to protecting your home and your family.

To request an estimate on fire mitigation in Boulder, contact us now. Our services include defensible space creation, lot clearing, land clearing, scrub oak removal.