Residents can learn how to take action to protect their homes from wildfire.

Boulder County, Colo. - October is Wildfire Awareness Month in Boulder County. Every October, residents learn how to prepare for wildfire, take action to protect their homes, and work with neighbors to reduce their risk.

In the aftermath of the Cold Springs Fire, Boulder County is asking all foothills and mountain residents to undertake wildfire mitigation measures. If you have been putting off small or large mitigation projects over the summer, October is a great time to act.

Free Wildfire Partners assessments

Wildfire Partners, the county’s wildfire mitigation assistance program, is offering free home assessments—a $75 value—to qualifying homeowners who apply in October and who are accepted into the program. Wildfire Partners is available for homes located in the unincorporated areas of western Boulder County, or in Jamestown, Lyons, Nederland, or Ward. Homes located in the City of Boulder are not eligible to participate in Wildfire Partners. Assessments must be completed by May 1, 2017. Homeowners who submit their Wildfire Partners applications after Oct. 31 are not eligible to receive a free assessment.

Free Wildfire Partners forestry contract work

Wildfire Partners will give away 25 prizes to cover 100% of Wildfire Partners Forestry Contractor costs (maximum of $2,500) for homeowners who sign up during October and who are accepted into the program. Homeowners must participate in their home assessment, use an approved Wildfire Partners Forestry Contractor, and complete all of their forestry mitigation work according to Colorado State Forest Service guidelines to claim their prizes. Homeowners who submit their applications after Oct. 31, 2016 are not eligible to receive a free assessment. Winning participants will be notified of their prizes on Nov. 1.

Wildfire Awareness Month events

Several wildfire awareness events are planned for October, including “Burning Questions: Living with Wildfire in Boulder County” on Saturday, Oct.15 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. followed by a Firefighter Appreciation Luncheon at the Nederland Community Center. Visit www.WildfirePartners.org for more information and a list of all events.

Photo contest

To showcase wildfire mitigation work, and to encourage everyone to take action, we are sponsoring a photo contest! Send an action photo of you (and friends and family) performing mitigation to our website at www.WildfirePartners.org. Grand Prize: $500 gift card to either McGuckin Hardware or Indian Peaks Ace Hardware. Second Prize: Twenty-five $100 gift cards to either McGuckin Hardware or Indian Peaks Ace Hardware. See website for contest details.

History of Wildfire Awareness Month

On Sept. 6, 2011—the one year anniversary of the Fourmile Canyon Fire—Boulder County declared October as Wildfire Awareness Month. Activities during the month teach residents about wildfires and wildfire mitigation and encourage homeowners to take action to prepare for future fires. The idea for the month came from citizens of Boulder County who understood the need for more education, improved programs, additional resources, stronger community involvement, and greater individual responsibility to realize the potential of community wildfire protection.