In Larimer County's foothills, defensible space is part of owning a home

A lot of homes in Larimer County sit where the plains meet the mountains — in the foothills and canyons west of Fort Collins, Loveland, and up toward Estes Park. It is beautiful country, and it is also wildfire country. Recent large fires in the county are a reminder that this is part of the landscape, not a rare event.

The good news is that much of the work to protect a home can be done in calm weather, long before there is smoke in the air. The Colorado State Forest Service describes a “home ignition zone” — the house itself and the space right around it — and offers plain steps for creating defensible space. That can mean clearing dry brush near the walls, thinking about what is stored under decks, and trimming back fuels that would carry fire toward the building.

Why it matters for a buyer: a home in the foothills may already have mitigation done, or it may not. It is worth asking, and worth understanding that this is ongoing upkeep, not a one-time chore.

For research-based, step-by-step guidance on defensible space and the home ignition zone, start with the Colorado State Forest Service.