FIREWISE HOME DESIGN

RVRMA is committed to promoting fire-resistive home design and construction as a vital part of protecting our community. With the growing threat of wildfires, it’s essential that homeowners and builders take proactive steps to reduce the risk of fire damage. We encourage you to keep fire safety at the forefront of your design decisions—incorporating materials, landscaping, and construction practices that minimize vulnerabilities and help safeguard your home and neighbors.

Below are some links to professional organizations that offer in-depth advice on this topic.  We would also recommend that you visit the Roaring Fork Valley Wildfire Collaborative’s homepage and consider signing up for a free home risk assessment.  This website is a wonderful resource, and many of your neighbors have already taken advantage of their free program which offers advise tailored to your home/property.

Whether building a new home, or renovating an existing structure, our Design Review Committee welcomes submissions that consider fire defensiveness. 

Recommended Fire Safety & Home Design Resources:

  1. FireWise Construction: Site Design & Building Materials
    This guide from the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) offers detailed information on fire-resistant building materials and design techniques suitable for the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). University of Wyoming+2Colorado State Forest Service+2static.colostate.edu+2

     

  2. Ignition Resistant Construction Design Manual|
    Developed by the Colorado Springs Fire Department, this manual provides practical design strategies to enhance a home’s resilience against wildfires. co-co.org

     

  3. Home Builder’s Guide to Construction in Wildfire Zones (FEMA)
    This FEMA publication outlines construction best practices for homes in wildfire-prone areas, including site selection and material recommendations. org

     

  4. Douglas County Recommended Building Materials
    Offers a list of fire-resistant building materials and additional resources for construction in wildfire-prone areas. defensiblespace.org+2Douglas County+2assets.idahofirewise.org+2

     

  5. Home Hardening CAL FIRE
    Address your home’s vulnerabilities to better withstand wildfire. Home Hardening | CAL FIRE
  6. Colorado State Forest Service – Firewise Landscaping & Building
    A go-to resource for Colorado homeowners on wildfire mitigation, defensible space, and fire-resistant construction. Website: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wildfire-mitigation
  7. Firewise USA (National Fire Protection Association)
    Offers nationally recognized guidelines for building and maintaining homes in wildfire-prone areas. Website: https://www.nfpa.org/firewise
  8. Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC)
    Provides current information on wildfire risk, mitigation programs, and community preparedness. Website: https://dfpc.colorado.gov
  9. Ready, Set, Go! Program – Colorado Wildfire Preparedness
    Helps residents understand how to prepare homes and evacuate safely in the event of a wildfire. Website: https://www.wildlandfirersg.org
  10. Western Colorado Wildfire Preparedness Guide (PDF)
    Tailored specifically for residents of the Western Slope. Often distributed by local fire districts or emergency management offices. Contact your local fire department or emergency management office to get the latest version or link to a downloadable PDF
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