Homes against the forest edge in Custer County share wildfire risk

Living in the Wet Mountain Valley often means living close to wild land. Properties back up to national forest, timbered slopes, and dry grassland. Homes along that edge — what fire agencies call the wildland-urban interface — face added wildfire risk.

The good news is that much of the risk to a home comes from the area right around it, and that part is something an owner can work on. The Colorado State Forest Service describes defensible space and the home ignition zone: clearing dead grass and needles, keeping a gap between the house and heavy brush, moving firewood away from walls, and choosing materials and roofing that resist embers. Much of a home’s danger comes from blowing embers, not a wall of flame, so small steps close to the house matter.

Why a buyer should think about this before there is smoke: defensible space is easier to plan when you are choosing a property and setting up a place than to scramble for during a dry, windy stretch. Wildfire risk can also be a factor in homeowners insurance; for questions about coverage in wildfire-prone areas, the Colorado Division of Insurance is the state’s official consumer resource.

For practical, research-based steps on defensible space and protecting a home, start with the Colorado State Forest Service.