Wildfire Safety Event at McGuckin Hardware
Learn how to protect your family and home from a wildfire – this Saturday from 10-2 p.m.
Boulder County, Colo. – Representatives from the Boulder County Land Use Department, Four Mile Fire Department and McGuckin Hardware Green Vests will be available to answer questions about wildfire mitigation and safety on Saturday, June 29, at McGuckin Hardware. Members of the community are invited to stop by any time during the 4-hour open house style event.
When: Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: McGuckin Hardware, 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
What:
- · Learn what you can do to protect your family, home and community from future wildfires
- · See examples of tools and other wildfire mitigation equipment that can help make it easier to create effective wildfire mitigation on your land
- · Receive wildfire mitigation tips and advice focused on how to best prepare your homes for future wildfires
Boulder County encourages everyone living in wildfire prone areas to implement proactive wildfire mitigation on their land. It is each homeowner’s personal responsibility to properly prepare their property for the inevitable wildfire. To learn more about what you can do to increase the chances of your home surviving the next wildfire, visitwww.BoulderCounty.org/WildfireMitigation and check out the quick tips below.
Fire Mitigation Tips:
- · Cut your grass. Look outside your window, how tall is your grass? Get outside this weekend and cut all grass to a max height of 6 inches within 30 feet of all structures and along driveways. For added protection weed whip under prized trees that are beyond 30 feet and along roadways. Be very careful when mowing it can cause sparks.
- · Create a 3-5 feet non-combustible perimeter around all structures. Grab a rake and weed whip to make sure the first five feet outside of your home is completely free of all pine needles, grasses, shrubs, firewood piles, lumber and anything else that is flammable. Taking this action gives your home a final line of defense against an approaching wildfire. If you don’t currently have an ignition-resistant perimeter (crushed gravel, pavers, flagstone etc.) installed, just rake down to bare mineral soil. Pay special attention under decks, where steps meet the ground and areas where wood siding is close to the ground.
- · Check and clean gutters of all pine needles. Have you been up the ladder to check lately? Clear gutters of all foreign materials especially pine needles and leaves that could easily spark into fire.
These are just a few of the steps everyone should take to properly prepare. More tips and wildfire mitigation outreach videos are available on our Wildfire Mitigation Educational website at www.bouldercounty.org/property/forest/pages/defensiblespace.aspx.
For more information or with any questions, contact Forestry Education and Outreach Coordinator Ryan Ludlow at720-564-2641 or rludlow@bouldercounty.org.
BCHA Nicker 