Here in Southwest Colorado, we’ve experienced a wet winter and spring, which relieved the years-long drought and decreased the wildfire risk. However, now in July, the abundant grass and weeds are drying out due to current weather. Monsoons could bring us some moisture; also dry lightning, which may start wildfires. If a wildfire does start and spreads rapidly, residents may need to evacuate within hours.

As a homeowner, each one should be prepared, and that includes a defensible space around residences and outbuildings. According to the West Region Wildfire Council, defensible space is “the natural and landscaped area around a home or other structure that has been modified to reduce fire hazard. Defensible space gives your home a fighting chance against an approaching wildfire.”

Many areas here include an abundance of piñon and juniper trees, which under the suitable conditions can and do burn intensely.

Firefighters are trained to protect structures only when the situation is relatively safe for them to do so. They use a process called “structural triage” to determine if it’s safe to defend a home from an approaching wildfire. Being a retired fire captain, having fought wildfires for 40 years in the western states, many locations with a well-maintained defensible space increase the probability that properties will survive a wildfire.

Everyone should take wildfire safety seriously and reduce the wildfire potential on their property.

Ron Serabia

Dolores