What does Firewise Mean & Why is it Important?
You can bet fire is on my mind after this dry winter. You can look at the Drought Monitor and see that currently we are on the edge of D1 (Moderate Drought) and D2 (Severe Drought). I am still quaking in my boots after the local 416 fire in 2018, the Marshall fire that struck outside Boulder at the end of 2021 (which is the most destructive Colorado wildfire to date), and the Los Angeles fires that were so devastating this winter. This is the year I plan to finally get around to packing that go bag with all the irreplaceable legal papers, just in case an evacuation in my neighborhood is required.
Many of us here in the Durango area live in what’s referred to as the WUI, wildland/urban interface. It is an especially fire prone area due to the combination of prevalent vegetation and human activity. I personally live in the WUI, where the domestic, built landscapes transition into natural areas.
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS FIREWISE?
Firewise landscaping is an approach that takes into consideration how fire moves through a landscape. It outlines measures homeowners can take to safeguard their homes and communities.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
A successfully designed and managed firewise landscape reduces the risk of wildfire and minimizes the damage to structures in the event that one does come through your area. If your home landscape is firewise, it will be safer and easier for firefighters to work within and defend, and so will be prioritized. Sounds good, right? I know that’s what I want.
The good news is that there are things we can do to reduce risk and stay safer. Now’s the time to make plans and take action to reduce the risk of fire around your home. There are many things you can do to increase your safety and your firewise fluency. AND don’t fret; there are ways of doing this while beautifying your greenspace. Stay tuned to this here Columbine newsletter because we’re here to help you do just that. We’ll be taking a deep dive into all aspects of firewise landscapes this year.
To the Glory of the Garden,
President, Columbine Landscapes Co.
