07
Nov

Every summer wildfires in Colorado is a serious threat. Colorado is one of the most common states that suffers, but you can also hear about them in California, on the west coast of Canada, and many other parts of the world. Wildfires have caused damage to wildlife habitats, ecosystems, and homes.

This is a growing problem. Between 1985 and 2000, 400 homes were destroyed a year by wildfires on average. That’s grown considerably, with an average of 1,354 homes destroyed between 2001 and 2011. This is only going to continue to grow as more wildfires spread.

Colorado Has Perfect Conditions for Wildfires

These fires spread extremely quickly and can reach 100,000 acres or more. They don’t just damage the forests, but they put lives at risks. Those who live in the forest areas are at risk of losing their lives and belongings. The firefighters who tackle the blaze find themselves at risk.

Fires can turn into what are known as megafires. While they may only make up a small percent of the amount of wildfires, they destroy 95% of the acres they burn. And there’s far more money spent on tackling these fires than any other type of smaller wildfire.

Conditions are often perfect for the spread of fire and not for the tackling of them. Dry air, dead and diseased trees, and a spread of other fuels lead to the fires spreading rapidly in all directions.
In the last 18 years, we’ve seen six of the top 10 worst wildfires since records began in the 1960s. This is sure to only get worse, especially considering the last 20 years have seen more long drought cycles.

What Can We Do to Prevent Wildfires in Colorado?

It’s time to help stop these wildfires from spreading. Every single state is as risk of the growing concerns and dangers. But what can we possibly do to help mitigate the spread of wildfires?
One of the best things you can personally do is create a defensible space around your home. Get rid of the fuel that leads to the spread of fire. The good news is you don’t have to get rid of all your plants and trees.

The first thing to remove is all the dead or diseased plants and trees. The healthy trees have the moisture to help prevent the spread of fire. You can then create a clearing between woodland and your home. Make sure you have a 30ft zone that’s free of the shrubbery and trees to avoid damage to your home.

It’s also worth removing the kindling and dead branches, leaves, and shrubbery from the flooring. This dries up and creates the perfect fuel for the fire.

Campfires and barbecues are the most common reason for wildfires starting. When you have campfires, make sure you put them out entirely before going back instead or going to sleep. If the air is hot and dry, you’ll need to avoid starting campfires. This dry air is perfect for the spread of the fire accidentally.

Together we can reduce the risk of wildfires in Colorado. These are growing concerns, as they become more deadly than ever before. Contact Colorado Mastication for a free estimate on fire mitigation of your property.