There are practical steps you can take to make your home more resilient to wildfire. Some improvements cost little or nothing, while others can be incorporated into larger home maintenance or renovation projects.

Whether you have a few hours, a weekend or a longer-term plan, the City of Boulder can help you identify projects that make a difference and fit your budget.

As always, when conducting work on your home or property, it is encouraged to get multiple bids for the same project to ensure competitive pricing and find a solution that works for you.

Financial Assistance and Grants

Find help to afford projects

Start With Five High-Impact Projects

Create a noncombustible zone around your home

Remove combustible materials from the first five feet around your house.

Video: Create a noncombustible zone

Replace or add vent mesh

Address vulnerable vents, openings and areas where embers can collect using 1/8th inch mesh. As you locate vents around your home, but sure to identify which vents may need mesh and which do not. Not all vents are the same and not all vents require mesh.

Video: Protect your home from embers | Vents

Create a 6-inch home base clearance

Maintain at least 6 inches of vertical noncombustible material at the bottom of exterior walls, doors, and posts.

Create and maintain defensible space

Manage vegetation and remove dead or dry materials around your property.

Reduce pathways for fire to spread

Address combustible fences, decks and other features connected or within 8 feet of your home or structure.

Estimate the Cost of Your Project

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Find Projects That Fit Your Budget

Reducing wildfire risk doesn't have to mean taking on every project at once. Some improvements cost very little, while others require more planning and investment.

Explore projects based on what you can spend, prioritize improvements that address your home's greatest vulnerabilities and continue making progress over time.

A Detailed Home Assessment can help you identify where to focus first.

Costs vary by property, materials and contractor. These ranges are intended to help you plan, not provide project estimates. As always, secure multiple bids for the same project.

You can make meaningful progress without a major investment. Focus on reducing combustible materials around your home and addressing basic maintenance needs.

Projects to consider:

  • Remove leaves and pine needles from gutters, decks and around your home.
  • Replace combustible mulch within the first five feet of your home with gravel or stone.
  • Trim small shrubs and remove dead vegetation.
  • Move firewood, outdoor cushions and other combustible items away from exterior walls.

Keep going: Make these activities part of your regular home maintenance routine. Small improvements are a starting point, not a substitute for addressing larger vulnerabilities.

With a larger budget, you may be able to move beyond basic maintenance and make targeted improvements that help protect your home from wildfire.

Projects to consider:

  • Upgrade selected exterior vents to appropriate ember-resistant models.
  • Expand noncombustible landscaping within the first five feet of your home.
  • Address small gaps or damaged areas around exterior openings using appropriate fire-resistant materials.
  • Hire a landscaping professional to remove or prune vegetation that presents a wildfire concern (this could cost more depending on the vegetation).

Keep going: Prioritize improvements based on your home's vulnerabilities and any recommendations from a Detailed Home Assessment.

Costs are general planning ranges, not project estimates. Actual costs depend on your property, materials and contractor availability.

This budget may allow you to address more substantial vulnerabilities identified through a Detailed Home Assessment.

Projects to consider:

  • Replace multiple exterior vents with appropriate mesh (1/8th inch mesh is great)
  • Upgrade combustible fencing or gates near your home with noncombustible materials.
  • Make targeted improvements to vulnerable areas of a deck or its connection to your home.
  • Create or expand noncombustible landscaping within the first five feet of your home.
  • Hire qualified professionals for larger vegetation management projects.

Keep going: Focus on improvements that address your property's specific vulnerabilities rather than choosing projects based on cost alone.

These are illustrative budget categories, not guaranteed project prices. Actual costs vary based on materials, property conditions and labor.

Some wildfire mitigation projects require more significant investment, particularly when replacing building materials or addressing multiple vulnerabilities.

Projects to consider:

  • Replace vulnerable roofing materials with a Class A fire-rated roofing system.
  • Upgrade combustible siding or other vulnerable exterior materials.
  • Rebuild or retrofit decks using more fire-resistant materials and construction methods.
  • Replace sections of combustible fencing near your home with noncombustible materials
  • Complete a comprehensive landscaping project to improve defensible space around your property.

Keep going: Use recommendations from a Detailed Home Assessment to prioritize improvements. Consider coordinating larger projects with other planned home renovations to reduce costs and disruption.

These are examples of projects that may require larger budgets. Some improvements may cost substantially more than $3,000 and will depend on a number of factors including home size, location, etc. Obtain qualified contractor estimates before beginning work.

Not Sure Which Improvements to Prioritize?

Request a Detailed Home Assessment

Small Projects. Lasting Impact.

You don't need a major renovation or a large budget to start reducing your wildfire risk. These nine projects are practical ways to make improvements around your home, whether you have a few hours or an entire weekend.

The goal is to build momentum, not check a box. Completing these projects doesn't mean your home is finished or that your wildfire risk has been eliminated. Wildfire preparedness requires ongoing maintenance, regular attention and continued improvements.

Start with one project, build on your progress and make wildfire mitigation part of how you care for your home.

Need an Extra Hand? Think Local!

Have a teenager in your household or neighborhood looking to earn some extra money?

Some wildfire mitigation activities are similar to everyday yard maintenance. Tasks like mowing lawns, raking leaves, pulling weeds and collecting small yard debris can be a great opportunity for young people to earn money while helping neighbors reduce wildfire risk.

It's also a way to introduce the next generation to wildfire preparedness and encourage neighbors to work together.

Keep it safe: Choose age-appropriate tasks with adult supervision as needed. Leave ladders, roof work, power tools, hazardous materials and major vegetation removal to qualified adults or professionals.

Have a Weekend? Start Here!

Clean Your Roof and Gutters

Remove leaves, pine needles and other debris that could ignite from windblown embers during a wildfire.

Safety note: Avoid working on steep or elevated roofs without appropriate equipment. Hire a professional when needed.

  1. Check your roof and gutters

    Look for accumulated leaves, pine needles, branches and other debris.

  2. Remove debris

    Clear materials from your roof, gutters and downspouts.

  3. Check nearby areas

    Remove debris from roof valleys, around skylights and where roof sections meet.

  4. Dispose of debris

    Bag or properly dispose of collected vegetation rather than leaving it next to your home.

  5. Make it routine

    Check regularly, especially if you have trees overhanging your structure and after windy weather and during wildfire season.

Create a 5-Foot Noncombustible Zone

Remove leaves, pine needles and other combustible materials from the area within 5 feet surrounding your home to reduce wildfire risk.

  1. Walk around your home

    Look for accumulated leaves, pine needles and other debris near exterior walls.

  2. Check underneath decks and stairs

    Check underneath decks and stairs.

  3. Clear corners and entryways

    Pay attention to places where wind can deposit leaves and debris.

  4. Move combustible materials

    Relocate firewood, lumber and other flammable items away from the house.

  5. Maintain the area

    Check regularly, especially after windy weather.

Trim Vegetation Around Your Home

Maintain trees, shrubs and other vegetation to reduce the chance of fire spreading toward your home.

Safety note: Hire a qualified professional for large trees, elevated branches or work near utility lines.

  1. Walk around your property

    Identify shrubs, branches and other vegetation growing close to your home.

  2. Remove dead vegetation

    Clear dead branches, leaves and dry plant material.

  3. Prune tree branches

    Remove lower branches where appropriate to reduce the potential for fire to climb into tree canopies

  4. Create separation

    Trim vegetation that touches your home, deck or other structures.

  5. Dispose of cuttings.

    Remove branches and debris rather than leaving piles near your home.

Move Firewood and Combustible Materials Away From Your Home

Reduce the risk of fire spreading to your home by relocating firewood, lumber, patio furniture and other combustible materials stored near exterior walls.

  1. Check around your home

    Look for firewood, lumber, cardboard and other combustible materials stored against exterior walls.

  2. Move firewood

    Relocate firewood piles at least 30 feet from your home when space allows.

  3. Clear areas beneath decks

    Remove stored combustible materials from underneath decks, stairs and balconies.

  4. Move items away

    Relocate combustible furniture and decorations farther from your home when possible. Identify a safe location to move combustible outdoor items when wildfire risk is elevated, if time and conditions permit.


  5. Keep the area clear

    Avoid placing new combustible materials within the first five feet of your home.

Clean Under and Around Your Deck

Remove combustible debris and stored materials that could ignite beneath or around your deck during a wildfire, then install mesh or screening if you desk is shorter than 48 inches to prevent debris and materials from returning.

  1. Inspect your deck

    Look for leaves, pine needles and other debris between deck boards and around the edges.

  2. Clear underneath

    Remove accumulated vegetation and combustible debris from beneath the deck.

  3. Move stored items

    Relocate firewood, cardboard, lumber and other combustible materials stored under the deck.

  4. Check where the deck meets your home

    Remove debris from gaps and corners where embers could collect.

  5. Maintain the area

    Inspect and clean regularly, especially after windy weather.

Check and Clean Your Home's Vents

Vents can provide an entry point for windblown embers. Inspecting and maintaining them can help reduce your home's vulnerability to wildfire.

Safety note: Do not block or seal required ventilation openings and make sure that you are aware of what vents on your home do what to avoid mesh-ing the wrong vents.

Tip: A Detailed Home Assessment is a complimentary risk assessment of your home and could help you understand, specifically, what vents on your property need mesh.

  1. Locate exterior vents

    Identify vents in your attic, foundation, crawl space and other exterior areas.

  2. Inspect for damage

    Look for holes, gaps, corrosion or damaged vent screens.

  3. Remove debris

    Carefully clear leaves, cobwebs and other materials from the outside of vent openings.

  4. Identify vents that need mesh (for ember resistance)

    Identify vents that may need mesh to make them ember resistant. You are able to use prescriptive vets if you would like, but a performance vent of 1/8th inch mesh is recommended. Prescriptive vents can be more expensive.

  5. Plan needed improvements

    Contact a qualified professional if vents are damaged or need replacement.

Remove Combustible Mulch Near Your Home

Replacing combustible mulch immediately next to your home with noncombustible materials can help reduce the risk of ignition from windblown embers.

  1. Inspect the first five feet

    Look for wood mulch, bark chips, pine needles and other combustible ground coverings near your home's exterior walls. Learn more about mulch types on our Urban Resilient Landscaping page.

  2. Remove combustible mulch

    Clear these materials from the area within five feet of your home.

  3. Choose noncombustible materials

    Consider gravel, stone or other appropriate noncombustible ground coverings. You can see what the city recommends on our urban resilient landscaping page.

  4. Check planting beds

    Pay attention to areas beneath windows, alongside decks and near exterior doors.

  5. Maintain the area

    Regularly remove leaves, weeds and other combustible debris that accumulate.

Check Your Fence Where It Connects to Your Home or Structure

Combustible fences attached directly to a home or structure can create a pathway for fire to spread to the structure.

  1. Inspect any fence within 8 feet of your structures

    Identify wooden fences or gates that connect directly to your home or are within 8 feet.

  2. Check for debris

    Remove leaves, pine needles and other combustible materials around the fence connection.

  3. Look for vulnerabilities

    Check whether combustible fencing touches siding, decks or other parts of your home.

  4. Consider improvements

    Explore replacing the section closest to your home with a noncombustible material, such as metal.

  5. Plan larger changes

    If replacement is needed, review applicable requirements and consider working with a qualified contractor. You may also want to consider the financial assistance available for wildfire mitigation work. Learn more on our webpage for financial resources.

Create 6-Inch Home Base Clearance

Protect the bottom 6 inches of exterior walls, doors and support posts with noncombustible materials to reduce the risk of ignition from embers and flames during a wildfire.

Safety note: Use materials rated as noncombustible and suitable for exterior use. Consult a professional if you need to remove siding or modify your home's exterior.

Video: Protect Home Base | Wildfire Partners

  1. Measure the area

    Measure 6 inches vertically from the ground or walking surface along exterior walls, door frames and support posts.

  2. Clear dirt and debris

    Remove leaves, mulch, plants and other combustible materials from the base of your home.

  3. Choose noncombustible materials

    Select appropriate materials such as metal flashing, masonry or noncombustible fiber-cement products that can withstand exposure to heat and flames.

  4. Install protective materials

    Replace or protect combustible surfaces within the bottom 6 inches using materials and installation methods appropriate for your home's exterior.

  5. Inspect and maintain

    Check for gaps, damage or accumulated debris regularly. Keep the area clear and make repairs as needed.

Learn How to Protect Your Home

Create a Noncombustible Zone Around Your Home

Protect Your Home from Embers: Vents

Reduce Wildfire Risk: Fences

Reduce Wildfire Risk: Decks

Not sure where to start with your home?

Get a Detailed Home Assessment

What’s Your Next Step?

Wildfire preparedness looks different for everyone. Explore more ways to reduce your risk and build resilience.