Be better prepared for urban wildfires with these eight tips

In the wake of the Marshall Fire, many homeowners might be wondering how to be better prepared in case of future urban wildfires.

Urban wildfires like the Marshall Fire, while relatively rare in Colorado when compared to the incidence of forest fires in the state, can be incredibly destructive and fast-moving, as the events of Dec. 30 proved. This type of fire is not entirely unprecedented as both the Black Forest Fire and Waldo Canyon Fire saw the destruction of homes at the wildland urban interface (WUI) or the transition zone between wilderness and developed or residential land.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the concept of wildfires only occurring at this interface is a bit misleading as wildfires can "happen almost anywhere given just the right conditions of vegetative and structural fuel, weather, and topography." Residents who don't live in the mountains or foothills now face the reality that wildfires can happen in highly developed residential areas, especially after periods of prolonged drought.

When it comes to fire preparedness, a few proactive steps can help you and your loved ones be better prepared in case of a wildfire close to home.

1. Clean up your property - both inside and out.

Research has shown that embers and small flames are the main way that the majority of homes ignite in wildfires. The NFPA breaks down actionable steps

or cleaning up what is termed the "home ignition zone."

For your home itself, the NFPA recommends regularly cleaning roofs and gutters to remove dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers. Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles and repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows. Don't store firewood or any flammable materials next to your home and remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

On your property, keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches and space trees to have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns. Ideally, the canopy of mature trees should be no closer than ten feet to the edge of your home, garage, or other structures on your property. You can also create "fuel breaks" or areas designed to slow the progress of a fire with driveways, walkways, patios, and decks. And more generally, you will want to keep your property clear of dead plant and tree material.

first responders in the event of a structure fire. According to information shared by Mountain View Fire Rescue, fighting fires is very risky in a hoarded home as the clutter impedes search and rescue efforts as well as first responders' ability to battle the blaze. Additionally, the weight of items in the home may actually cause the building to collapse if the home is saturated with water in the firefighters' attempt to save the structure.

2. Sign up for emergency alerts.

The Boulder County Sheriff utilizes an emergency notification system called Everbridge Emergency Alert. Residents can sign up and manage their profiles online. For residents in Boulder County with a landline from CenturyLink or a VOIP phone from Xfinity/Comcast, their number is automatically updated in the emergency alert system.

3. Make a list of important items (and where they are located) to grab in case of evacuation.

Items on this list should include important documents (birth or marriage certificates, social security cards, wills, property deeds, etc.), photographs, cameras, important electronic devices, extra sets of keys (for cars or other property), medications, and any cash or jewelry. Additionally, if you have any irreplaceable family heirlooms or special keepsakes add them to this list. You may or may not have time to gather all these items in the event of an evacuation, but this list should help you organize your thoughts and guide your packing if you do have time to throw together a few boxes before leaving your home.

4. Have a plan for your pets.

If you have a dog, cat, or other pet, make sure you have a way to transport them. Always keep a small kennel or collapsible pet carrier at home and easily accessible. Consider packing an emergency grab bag for them with extra food, water, toys, and blankets.

If you have large animals on your property and no way to transport them yourself, have a list of several emergency contacts with trailers who might be able to help you evacuate your animals. Also, for pets both large and small, consider where you might take your animals if you do have to evacuate in the event that the designated evacuation points are not able to accept animals.

5. Have an emergency grab bag packed.

Keep a small bag packed with water, food, clothing, bedding, emergency supplies, and personal hygiene items. If you do get evacuated, you will be able to quickly grab this bag as you head out the door.

6. Take photos of your home and property and keep a record of big purchases.

If you do lose your home to a fire (or other natural disaster), your insurance company will require an itemized list of all your belongings. While this may sound like a daunting task, one way you can prepare ahead is to periodically take detailed photos of your home and property. A photographic record will help you more easily recall everything you had in your home at the time of the fire.

Additionally, keep a record of all big purchases-receipts will be very helpful in the reimbursement process. Ideally, do this digitally so you don't have to worry about also grabbing a box of receipts when you evacuate. There are a variety of mobile apps that can help you digitally save your receipts for better virtual record-keeping.

7. Back up all important documents, photos, and files.

Though you might think you will have time to grab your laptop or other important electronics, don't count on this and be sure to regularly back up all of your important files to the cloud.

8. Review your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy.

Be proactive about your insurance policy, whether you rent or own your home. The best way to make sure you aren't underinsured is to call your insurance agent and spend some time making sure you understand exactly what is (or isn't) covered by your current policy-and consider upgrading to a different policy if you are not satisfied with your current coverage.

The reality of natural disasters is that they are highly unpredictable. As the Marshall Fire showed, in some disasters, no amount of individual preparation can prevent the outcome. However, in other events, these steps toward better preparedness might make the difference to help you and your loved ones weather a wildfire or other natural disaster with fewer catastrophic losses.