Wildfire in Boulder County
Wildfire is the most likely natural disaster in Boulder County. If you received an emergency evacuation notice today, would you be ready? Do you have a GO Kit? Do you have pre-planned evacuation routes? Are you fully insured?
Why is this important? Having a plan in place and being ready to evacuate early will be critical in your ability to effectively respond to an emergency. There are many online resources available to help you prepare your Personal Wildfire Action Plan and we encourage you to take the time today to prepare your home and family!
Most people assume their home is insured in the case of a wildfire. They have been paying their premiums for years; however, they may not have updated their policies or taken the time to study the details. Underinsurance is a nationwide problem that homeowners need to address before a disaster strikes.
The Boulder Office of Disaster Management has online resources available that we encourage you to utilize before, during and after an emergency. Residents are encouraged to sign up for Boulder County Everbridge alerts to receive messages about imminent wildfire threats and other hazards.
Multiple improvements have been made to the alert and warning systems used by the four 911 dispatch centers in Boulder County in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire. Improvements include the introduction of the ReachWell translation app, which provides emergency alerts in over 100 languages/dialects. Visit the Sheriff’s Office website for details.
During an emergency, visit the Boulder Office of Disaster Management website for the most up-to-date information on that emergency.
What is Wildfire Mitigation and Who Performs It?
Wildfire mitigation is action taken before a wildfire ignites to reduce its severity and negative impacts such as the destruction of homes. Forest management, prescribed fire, home hardening, and defensible space are common wildfire mitigation strategies. Action taken after a wildfire ignites— emergency notification, fire suppression, and recovery programs—are not included in the definition of wildfire mitigation.
Homeowners perform wildfire mitigation by hardening their homes and creating defensible space. Public land managers and private landowners perform wildfire mitigation through proactive management of their lands.