Get Prepared
Wildfires Are a Fact of Life. Preparation Saves Lives.
Each year, Colorado faces more frequent and more intense wildfires — and the Spanish Peaks region is no exception. The good news: the actions you take today can dramatically reduce your risk and increase your home’s chance of surviving a fire.
Start with the three steps below. Then explore resources tailored to your county, your property, and your neighborhood.
Click a step to jump straight there, or scroll down to read all three.
READY: Prepare Your Property
Wildfire mitigation starts at home. Creating defensible space and making your home more fire-resistant are the two most effective things you can do. You don’t need to do everything at once — start with the actions that make the biggest difference.
Create Defensible Space
Defensible space is the area around your home where vegetation and other materials are managed to reduce wildfire risk. Think of it as a buffer zone between your home and the surrounding landscape.
Zone 1 — 0 to 5 feet
The area nearest the home. This zone requires the most vigilant work in order to reduce or eliminate ember ignition and direct flame contact with your home. Remove all dead vegetation, leaves, and debris. Use noncombustible materials for mulch (gravel, stone). Keep this zone completely clear of anything that can ignite.
Zone 2 — 5 to 30 feet
The area transitioning away from the home where fuels should be reduces. This zone is designed to minimize a fire’s intensity and its ability to spread while significantly reducing the likelihood a structure ignites because of radiant heat. Remove dead branches, especially within 6 feet of the ground. Keep grass mowed to 4 inches or less. Move firewood and propane tanks at least 30 feet from structures.
Zone 3 — 30 to 100 feet
The area farthest from the home. It extends 100 feet from the home on relatively flat ground. Efforts in this zone are focused on ways to keep fire on the ground and to get fire that may be active in tree crowns to move to the ground, where it will be less intense. Thin trees to create spacing of at least 10 feet between canopies. Remove dead trees and reduce dense brush. Create fuel breaks using driveways, gravel paths, or rock gardens.
Looking for guides and partner resources on this topic? → Browse the Resource Library ↓
Harden Your Home
Home hardening means upgrading the materials and design of your home to resist ignition from embers, radiant heat, and direct flame. Embers are the #1 cause of home ignition during wildfires — and they can travel over a mile ahead of a fire.
Roof & Gutters
Use Class A fire-rated roofing materials. Keep gutters clear of leaves and debris. Install metal gutter guards.
Vents
Cover all vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh screening. Replace or retrofit any unscreened soffit, foundation, or attic vents.
Siding & Exterior Walls
Replace wood siding within 6 inches of the ground with noncombustible material. Close gaps between siding and foundation.
Decks & Fences
Keep decks clear of combustible items. Use noncombustible fencing material for the first 5 feet connecting to the home. Remove combustible material stored under decks.
Windows
Install dual-pane or tempered glass windows. Close windows and doors when fire risk is high.
Looking for guides and partner resources on this topic? → Browse the Resource Library ↓
Fire-Resistant Landscaping
The plants you choose and how you maintain them play a major role in wildfire risk. Fire-resistant landscaping doesn’t mean bare dirt — it means making smart choices about what grows near your home.
✅ Plants to Favor
Aspen, cottonwood, Rocky Mountain maple, yarrow, columbine, iris
⚠️ Avoid Near Structures
Juniper, ornamental grasses, pine, spruce — highly flammable
- Choose plants with high moisture content and low resin or oil
- Use hardscaping (stone, gravel, pavers) to create fuel breaks
- Group plantings in islands rather than continuous beds
- Irrigate Zone 1 vegetation during dry months
- Remove dead plants, dry grass, and pine needles regularly
Use hardscaping (stone, gravel, pavers) to create fuel breaks. Group plantings in islands rather than continuous beds. Irrigate Zone 1 vegetation during dry months and remove dead plants, dry grass, and pine needles regularly.
Looking for guides and partner resources on this topic? → Browse the Resource Library ↓
Get a Free Home Ignition Zone Assessment
Not sure where to start? SPAWP offers free, professional HIZ assessments for property owners in our service area. A trained specialist will walk your property, identify specific vulnerabilities, and give you a prioritized action plan.
HIZ Assessments are funded by grants and made possible by generous donations.
Sign Up for a Free Assessment →SET: Know Your Risk & Make a Plan
Being wildfire-ready means knowing what to do before smoke fills the air. Take time now to register for alerts, learn your evacuation routes, and make a plan with your household so everyone knows what to do when it matters.
Register for Emergency Alerts
Emergency alerts are your first line of defense. When a wildfire threatens your area, you need to know immediately — not from a neighbor’s text, but from an official source. Each county in our region uses its own system, and sign up is free and takes less than 2 minutes.
Ready to sign up? Find your county’s alert system and signup link on our Emergency Alerts page →
Know Your Evacuation Routes
In many mountain communities, there may be only one road out. Don’t wait until a wildfire to learn your options.
- Identify at least two evacuation routes from your home
- Drive them in advance so they’re familiar
- Note landmarks, intersections, and potential bottlenecks
- Know which roads may be closed during fire emergencies
- Identify a meeting point outside your neighborhood for your household
If you live along Highway 12
This is the only evacuation route for much of the Cuchara Valley. SPAWP’s Highway 12 Fire Break project is designed to keep this corridor passable during a wildfire.
Looking for guides and partner resources on this topic? → Browse the Resource Library ↓
Make a Wildfire Action Plan
A wildfire action plan is a simple document your household creates together so everyone knows what to do when an evacuation order comes.
- Who is responsible for gathering pets, medications, and documents
- Where your household will meet if separated
- Phone numbers for emergency contacts, neighbors, and out-of-area relatives
- Where you’ll go (hotel, family, shelter) and alternate destinations
- What’s in your Go Bag and where it’s stored (see Step 3)
Practice it. Walk through the plan at least once a year — ideally at the start of fire season (May/June).
Looking for guides and partner resources on this topic? → Browse the Resource Library ↓
GO: When It's Time to Leave
When wildfire strikes, there may be no time to think — only time to act. Having a Go Bag packed and your documents accessible means you can focus on the only thing that matters: getting your family to safety.
Pack a Go Bag
A Go Bag is a pre-packed bag — one per household member — with everything you’d need for 72 hours away from home. Keep it somewhere easy to grab: by the front door, in the car, or in the garage.
🧳 Essentials
- IDs, insurance policies, and important documents (or a USB drive with scans)
- Medications and a basic first aid kit
- Phone charger and backup battery
- Change of clothes and sturdy shoes
- Cash (ATMs may be down)
- Water bottles and non-perishable snacks
- Flashlight and batteries
- N95 masks (for smoke)
👨👩👧 Families with Children or Pets
- Baby supplies, formula, diapers
- Comfort items (stuffed animal, favorite blanket)
- Pet carriers, leashes, food, and vaccination records
Looking for guides and partner resources on this topic? → Browse the Resource Library ↓
Review Your Insurance & Home Inventory
Don’t wait until after a disaster to discover gaps in your coverage. A quick insurance review and home inventory now can save enormous stress — and money — later.
Insurance Review
- Confirm your policy covers wildfire damage
- Check that coverage reflects current replacement costs, not just market value
- Ask about additional living expenses (ALE) coverage for temporary housing
- Review your deductible and make sure you can cover it
Home Inventory
- Walk through each room and photograph or video your belongings
- Note serial numbers for electronics and appliances
- Store the inventory in the cloud or on a USB drive in your Go Bag
- Update it annually
Looking for guides and partner resources on this topic? → Browse the Resource Library ↓
When You Get the Call
Evacuation orders come in two levels. Knowing what each one means — and what to do — can save critical minutes.
⚠️ Evacuation Warning — Be Ready to Leave
- Load Go Bags, pets, and irreplaceable items into your vehicle
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy shoes
- Back your car into the driveway for a quick departure
- Close all windows and doors — leave them unlocked for firefighters
- Move combustible patio furniture inside or away from the house
- Turn on exterior lights so firefighters can see your home
🚨 Evacuation Order — Leave Now
- Go immediately — take your Go Bag and leave
- Follow your planned evacuation route
- Do not go back for belongings
- Check in with your out-of-area contact once you’re safe
If you feel unsafe at any point, don’t wait for an official order. Leave early.
Your County
Resources by County
Sign up for your county’s free emergency alert system and bookmark your local OEM — both are worth having handy before fire season starts.
| County | Alert System | OEM Contact | Emergency Management | Alert Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huerfano | HCNotify | Ross Hallihan | Huerfano OEM → | Sign Up |
| Las Animas | CodeRED | Darren Kolakowski | Las Animas OEM → | Sign Up |
| Costilla | San Luis Valley E911 | Lucas Casias | Costilla OEM → | Sign Up |
| Pueblo | Rave Alerts | Joshua D. Johnson | Pueblo OEM → | Sign Up |
| Custer | Everbridge | Robyn Knappe | Custer OEM → | Sign Up |
| Fremont | Everbridge | Mykel Kroll | Fremont OEM → | Sign Up |
| Teller | Peak Alerts | TBD | Teller OEM → | Sign Up |
| Other Counties | Varies | NA | Find other County info here → | Sign Up |
Reference Library
Wildfire Preparedness Resources
Everything you need to protect your home and family — organized by topic. All guides and partner resources are free to access.
Defensible Space & Home Hardening
These two strategies work together: defensible space creates a buffer of managed vegetation around your home, while home hardening reduces the ways fire and embers can enter the structure itself. Addressing both gives your home the best possible chance of surviving a wildfire.
Fire-Resistant Landscaping
Smart plant choices and thoughtful yard design can significantly reduce the fuel available to a wildfire — without turning your property into bare dirt.
Downloadable Guides Partner ResourcesEvacuation Planning
In a wildfire, you may have minutes to leave. Having a written plan your whole household knows — including routes, meeting points, and out-of-area contacts — can make all the difference.
Downloadable Guides Partner ResourcesEmergency Go Bags
A Go Bag is a pre-packed bag with everything you need for 72 hours away from home. Keep one per household member — and keep them somewhere easy to grab.
Downloadable Guides Partner ResourcesInsurance & Home Inventory
Many homeowners discover gaps in their wildfire coverage only after a loss. A quick insurance review and home inventory now can save enormous stress — and money — later.
Downloadable Guides Partner ResourcesGeneral Wildfire Preparedness
Looking for a broader overview of wildfire preparedness, or resources to share with neighbors and community groups? Start here.
Downloadable Guides Partner ResourcesWe're Here To Help
Want Help Getting Started?
You don’t have to do this alone. SPAWP offers programs, workshops, and one-on-one support to help you and your neighbors prepare for wildfire.
Get a Free Assessment
Our trained specialists will walk your property and create a prioritized action plan — at no cost to you.
Schedule an Assessment →Become an Ambassador
Lead wildfire preparedness in your neighborhood. We'll give you the training, tools, and support you need.
Learn About the Program →Attend an Event
Join a workshop, slash pile day, or community preparedness event near you.
See Upcoming Events →Help Us Protect Our Communities
The resources on this page exist because of donors like you. Support SPAWP’s wildfire education and mitigation programs with a tax-deductible gift.