Resources from our partners

Along the Front Range, it's important to keep wildfire safety in mind throughout the year. This shared responsibility is a priority for a safe and prepared community.

Are you concerned about your property's wildfire risk? Any homeowner served by South Metro Fire Rescue, which includes Highlands Ranch residents, can email ReducingRisk@southmetro.org to schedule time for a free, 30-minute home assessment. A SMFR risk reduction specialist will walk your property with you and discuss strategies for improving safety.

A variety of resources below are also available to help homeowners mitigate risk on their own property.

Open space management 

The Metro District's key goals for managing our natural resources are the health of the resource and public safety. We incorporate several strategies – and collaborate with our community partners – to implement sustainable stewardship.

During drier years or after devastating national fires, residents may wonder why more of the open space isn't mowed regularly to prevent a fire. There are more than 2,600 acres of native grass areas within the Metro District's open space, and repeatedly mowing entire open space areas is not a realistic or effective tactic for fire prevention.

• In actuality, mowing tall grasses does not remove the fire fuel load, and cut, dry grasses on the ground may result in a hotter fire.
• Tall, actively growing grasses act as "water reservoirs" and stay greener longer through the growing season compared to mowed areas.  
• Healthy native plants help to out-compete non-native plants that can create altered and extremely dangerous wildfires.
• Our short grass prairie environment provides a healthy native habitat for plants and wildlife and helps reduce erosion.

The Metro District does complete routine trail and fence line mows several times each growing season. Doing so creates firebreaks that act as barriers to slow or stop wildfire spread. Additionally, the Metro District will mow non-native plant communities and selectively apply herbicide to manage weed growth. Homeowners may mow or weed whip between their open space fence line and the outer edge of the Metro District's 6-foot mow line. If you choose to mow this space, mow decks should be raised to their maximum height. Mowing beyond the Metro District mow line is prohibited.

For other questions about Metro District property, please contact Scott Nelson, open space supervisor, at snelson@highlandsranch.org or 720-240-5924.

Home ignition zone checklist

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Simple steps from roof to foundation to make a home safer from embers and radient heat

1. Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers.
2. Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
3. Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8-inch metal mesh screening.
4. Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8-inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
5. Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows.
6. Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
7. Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn.
8. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

Additional homeowner resources

• Prepare your home for wildfire - Colorado State Forest Service
• Low flammability landscape plants - Colorado State Forest Service
• The Firewise Program
• Red Flag Warnings and wildfire conditions - South Metro Fire Rescue
• Lessons from the Marshall Fire - South Metro Fire Rescue
• Douglas County Community Wildfire Protection Plan