Burning Tree Ranch has a history of wildfire occurrences. Because we live in a forested area that is at high risk for wildfire, it is imperative for BTR homeowners to be well informed about fire mitigation and to implement risk reduction steps on our properties. To access fire mitigation resource documents, please scroll down to the "Downloads" section on this page. The documents provide information on how to reduce the risk to your home and property from a catastrophic wildfire, how to "harden your home" to reduce structural ignitability, and guidance on developing a fire evacuation preparedness plan. Taking action to prepare for wildfire is not a one-time effort — it requires ongoing maintenance to give your home and property the best chance of surviving a wildfire.
Would you like to get a professional wildfire mitigation review of your property that is free of charge? The Franktown Fire Department provides that service. By calling the Fire Department at 303-688-3811 and requesting that review, you can schedule a visit by the staff where they will instruct you on wildfire mitigation priorities, and areas of prevention improvement for you to focus on. You can expect the review to take approximately ½ hour.
Fire mitigation resource documents advise homeowners to create defensible space around their home by implementing the "three zones" strategy on their properties. This strategy gives the home the best chance of surviving a wildfire. You can find detailed information on the three zones and specific mitigation work that is advised within each zone, in several of the documents available in the "Downloads" section on this page. Following is a brief description of the three zones:
ZONE 1 (0-5 feet from the house): This zone is the area on your property that has first priority and it requires the most vigilant work. The goal is to protect your home. According to the CWPP, always begin your fire mitigation work closest to the house and progress outward from there.
ZONE 2 (5-30 feet from the house): Vegetation is modified in Zone 2 to reduce the intensity of an oncoming fire in order to slow the fire from reaching the home.
ZONE 3 (30-100 feet from the house): This is a transition zone toward a traditional vegetation management style.
ORDER OF PRIORITY IN THE THREE ZONES: Based on fire mitigation resource documents (see Downloads below) and on Franktown Fire Dept. advisement, fire mitigation priority must go to Zones 1 and 2 in respective order. The next priority should be clearing and thinning along the driveway to assure easy access to fire trucks. Following that is the development of Zone 3.
THREE SLASH DISPOSAL METHODS:
1. Chipping: Chippers are available for rental.
2. Hauling the slash to the Douglas County Slash/Mulch Site: For more information about the DC Slash Site in Castle Rock, click here.
3. Burning the slash: To use this higher fire-risk option, you must first arrange for Franktown Fire Department staff to visit your lot to review and approve the location and precautions you have taken for burning (e.g., a burn pit, a burn barrel, or a burn bin). Then, for each burn occasion, you must obtain a burn permit from the Fire Dept. where fire risk levels will be taken into consideration before each permit is granted.
Fire Mitigation Resource Documents
Home Ignition Zone Guide 2021 (2.7MB) (pdf)
DownloadCO Wildfire Preparedness (2.3MB) (pdf)
DownloadForest Home Fire Safety (.8MB) (pdf)
DownloadBTR 2017 CWPP (12MB) (pdf)
DownloadFirewise Construction Materials 2012 (1.3MB) (pdf)
DownloadWildfire Home Retrofit Guide 2021 (4.7MB) (pdf)
DownloadHorse Owner Wildfire Preparedness (.7MB) (pdf)
DownloadEvacuation preparedness plan information coming soon.
Evacuation preparedness information coming soon.
More wildfire preparedness information coming soon.
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