Wildfire seasons on the Pikes Peak slopes do not wait for your to‑do list. If you live in Cascade or Cascade‑Chipita Park, you feel both the beauty of the forest and the reality of wind‑blown embers. You want clear, practical steps that make your home safer, satisfy insurers, and reassure buyers. This checklist gives you prioritized actions, timelines, and local considerations so you can focus your time and budget where it matters most. Let’s dive in.
Why mitigation matters here
Cascade and Cascade‑Chipita Park sit in the wildland‑urban interface with steep terrain and vegetation that can carry embers long distances. In many fires, embers ignite roofs, vents, gutters, and materials right next to the home. That means a few targeted upgrades and routine maintenance can dramatically improve outcomes and confidence when you sell or seek insurance.
Your prioritized checklist
Roof covering
Your roof is your most important line of defense. Aim for a Class A noncombustible or fire‑resistant roof, such as rated asphalt shingles, metal, or tile. Repair broken or loose materials, and clear pine needles and leaves regularly. If you plan a replacement, choose Class A.
- Schedule a professional roof inspection and address any open edges or gaps.
- Replace missing shingles or tiles and seal rake edges.
- Keep the roof clean during fire season.
Vents and openings
Embers seek openings. Screen attic, soffit, crawlspace, and foundation vents with corrosion‑resistant metal mesh no larger than 1/8 inch. Consider ember‑resistant vent products where feasible, and seal gaps around chimneys and roof penetrations.
- Identify every vent and add approved metal screening, not plastic.
- Evaluate turbine or powered vents and upgrade to ember‑resistant options.
- Check weather stripping and seals around doors and garage openings.
Immediate 0–5 feet and gutters
Create a noncombustible buffer next to the house. Replace bark mulch with rock, gravel, pavers, or other noncombustible materials. Keep gutters clear and consider metal gutter guards. Move firewood, lumber, and combustible decor out of this zone.
- Sweep decks, steps, and landings; remove debris from under and between boards.
- Enclose or skirt open deck undersides with ember‑resistant materials when possible.
- Maintain small, irrigated plants sparingly and away from siding and windows.
Defensible space zones
Follow the Home Ignition Zone approach for yearly maintenance.
- Zone 0, 0–5 ft: Keep it noncombustible. No wood piles, debris, or flammable mulch.
- Zone 1, 5–30 ft: Break up continuous fuels, thin shrubs, and keep plantings small and well‑spaced. Prune branches several feet back from roofs and chimneys.
- Zone 2, 30–100 ft: Reduce tree density, remove ladder fuels, thin brush, and prune lower branches. Increase spacing on slopes.
Schedule spring and fall cleanups, and plan for debris disposal through chipping, municipal pickup, or permitted burns when allowed.
Siding, windows, and decks
Noncombustible or ignition‑resistant siding performs best. If you have wood siding, keep it painted and clear of debris and climbing vines. Multi‑pane or tempered windows offer better heat resistance, and keeping the area around windows clear reduces exposure. Remove combustible cushions, mats, and decor during red‑flag conditions.
- Maintain tight, sealed siding; caulk gaps where embers could lodge.
- Enclose deck undersides or screen with metal mesh where practical.
- Store furniture cushions and outdoor fabrics away from exposure when fire danger is high.
Access, water, and address visibility
Help responders reach you quickly. Keep your driveway clear, trim vegetation at turns, and ensure gates open easily. Maintain hoses that reach all sides of the home, and note any dedicated water source. Make sure your address is visible day and night from the road.
- Confirm turning space for emergency vehicles at the home.
- Test pumps and hoses on rural properties.
- Update reflective address markers if faded.
Step‑by‑step timeline
Immediate, days to 2 weeks
- Clear gutters, roofs, decks, and the 0–5 ft zone.
- Move firewood, lumber, and propane accessories away from the house.
- Trim vegetation touching the home and remove small dead branches.
- Take dated photos to document your work for insurers and buyers.
Short term, 2–8 weeks
- Install metal vent screening across attic, soffit, and crawlspace vents.
- Add metal gutter guards or schedule regular cleanings.
- Prune trees in the 5–30 ft zone and remove ladder fuels.
- Improve driveway access and ensure address visibility.
Mid term, 1–6 months
- Repair roofing components or plan for replacement if needed.
- Enclose deck undersides and address vulnerable siding as budgets allow.
- Complete thinning in the 30–100 ft zone, using a contractor if needed.
- Consider a professional home‑hardening or Firewise evaluation.
Longer term, 6+ months
- Replace non‑Class A roofs with Class A materials when you remodel.
- Set up annual defensible‑space maintenance contracts.
- Join neighborhood Firewise or community mitigation efforts.
Local rules and resources
Before burning or large vegetation removal, confirm current fire restrictions and permitting with El Paso County and your local fire authority. Seasonal burn bans are common. For property‑specific guidance, contact the Colorado State Forest Service, your local fire protection district, or county emergency management. Cost‑share and grant programs may be available through CSFS or county and federal programs, but availability changes by year.
Insurance and selling tips
Insurers often look for a Class A roof, screened vents, a clean 0–5 ft zone, and active defensible‑space maintenance. Requirements vary by company, so confirm early. Keep a simple mitigation file with photos, dates, receipts, and contractor invoices. When you list, highlight the roof rating, vent upgrades, gutter guards, and recent defensible‑space work to reduce buyer concerns and speed up negotiations.
For sellers, clean presentation matters. A tidy noncombustible perimeter, swept decks, and trimmed vegetation not only improve safety, they also improve first impressions in photos and showings.
Quick walkthrough checklist
- Roof: Class A covering, no damage, debris cleared.
- Vents: Metal mesh screening at 1/8 inch or smaller, gaps sealed.
- 0–5 feet: Noncombustible ground cover, no wood or mulch, gutters clean.
- 5–30 feet: Pruned trees, thinned shrubs, no ladder fuels, clear around propane and outbuildings.
- 30–100 feet: Reduced tree density, pruned lower branches, thinned brush.
- Siding and windows: Maintained finishes, clear zones around openings.
- Decks and porches: Clean surfaces, enclosed undersides if possible, cushions stored on red‑flag days.
- Access and water: Clear driveway, visible address, hoses reach all sides.
Work with The Sims Home Team
If you are preparing to sell or want to strengthen your insurance position, you do not have to navigate this alone. The Sims Home Team offers local, hands‑on guidance for mountain properties, from pricing and premium listing presentation to referrals for qualified roofers, arborists, and mitigation contractors. We help you document completed work and showcase it in your listing so buyers feel confident from day one. Schedule a consultation to map out your plan and move forward with clarity.
FAQs
How far should defensible space extend around a Cascade home?
- Follow the Home Ignition Zone model: 0–5 feet noncombustible, 5–30 feet reduce and space fuels, 30–100 feet thin and prune, with greater spacing on slopes.
What vent mesh size is recommended for ember protection?
- Use corrosion‑resistant metal mesh no larger than 1/8 inch on attic, soffit, and crawlspace vents, and consider ember‑resistant vent products when possible.
Do I need to replace my roof to list or insure?
- Not always, but a Class A roof is preferred. Repairs and debris removal help, and some insurers or buyers may require a Class A covering for confidence.
What are the quickest improvements before photos and showings?
- Screen vents, clear gutters and roofs, replace mulch near the house with rock or pavers, and declutter and sweep decks and entries.
Who should I contact before burning slash or thinning trees?
- Check El Paso County for current fire restrictions and permits, and coordinate with your local fire protection district or the Colorado State Forest Service for property‑specific guidance.
