February 11, 2025 | Makenzie Kellar

In 2024, Durango Fire Protection District was scrambling to find an insurance provider that would offer them property insurance for the new firehouse they had planned to build.  Many of the major carriers they approached either refused them outright or only offered coverage at rates above what their budget could handle. When they reached out to these carriers asking why the prices were so unreasonable, the answer they received was as simple as it was ironic: the area where they were building was at high risk for wildfires.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Colorado homeowners have already begun to feel the financial strain of wildfire risks driving up property rates across the state. To make matters even worse, the drier seasons that have caused more frequent and severe wildfires have largely been attributed to climate change—a cause that is not expected to go away any time soon.

While the situation may seem bleak, it’s not hopeless. Insurers are now leaning towards a proactive approach for protecting their assets. Instead of insuring whatever buildings come their way as part of the business, they are pushing for construction standards that require more features which would help buildings avoid or resist the effects of wildfire. By understanding what features insurers are looking for when it comes to fire risk, organizations can not only gain leverage to negotiate lower rates, but also keep their employees and property safe.

The following fire mitigation considerations are summarized from a 2023 FEMA report that contained findings from their Mitigation Assessment Team’s about damages following the fires in Boulder County, Colorado and other locations. 

Location

The first thing to consider when building or moving into a new area is location.

Before picking a location, check up-to-date wildfire hazard maps to determine the current risk level in the area. The Colorado State Forest Service has an interactive online map of their own that is free to use and made specifically for this purpose. Districts can also hire and consult a specialist to assess the location’s wildfire risk.

If contracting a specialist is not feasible, FEMA advises that people in wildfire-prone areas avoid constructing buildings along a gully or in a narrow canyon, in or adjacent to a saddle or narrow mountain pass, and adjacent to or on a steep slope.

Density

Whether or not your district builds in a high-density or low-density area also impacts wildfire risk. “High-density” refers to places where buildings are clustered close together, like cities or suburbs. “Low-density” refers to places where other buildings are scarce. The guidance in choosing one or the other isn’t so clear cut as both have their own advantages and drawbacks. Your district may also not get much of a choice in this matter at all. A metropolitan or library district needs to be located within the community it serves, so moving out into the middle of nowhere isn’t an option. If your district does have a say in this matter, here’s what you need to know.

High-density areas limit the effect that surrounding vegetation and open space have on a fire because there is less of it there to help the fire along. Additionally, in the event of a wildfire, firefighters are not spread too thin across a space and are able to be more effective in their work. However, these areas increase the odds of “structure-to-structure ignitions”— which is FEMA’s fancy way of saying that if your neighbor’s building catches fire, yours probably will too. For districts in high-density area, it is recommended that you invest in fire-rated exterior walls, non-combustible construction materials (such as concrete or metal), and ember resistant vent protection.

Building in a low-density area means you won’t need to worry about your neighbor’s fire risk, but it does mean that the landscape and vegetation in the surrounding areas must be well-managed to keep everyone safe. Dry brush and concentrated areas of vegetation that are left alone may roll out the red carpet for wildfires headed in your direction. Low-density areas may also have a more difficult time fighting off fires that make it to their location. Firefighters would need to protect not just the building, but all of the surrounding space to secure an area. This makes their job harder and increases the chance a wildfire can damage your site before it is successfully managed.

Landscaping

While this is more of a concern for those who are located in low-density areas, all districts should at least consider the effect that the land around a construction site will have on its wildfire risk.

If there is open space around the site you plan to build on, it is preferable for that space to be small and subject to regular maintenance. If a large open space must be present, put walkways or trails on the perimeter so that nearby fires have a harder time reaching the plants that would further fuel its growth.

Speaking of plants, pay attention to what grows in the space and try to encourage the growth of native, fire-resistant species. Colorado State University recommends penste mons, prickly pear, yucca, and blanket flower among others, although you should check in with an expert before planting any new species near you. 

As stated previously, it is not recommended to build on or around slopes in places where the risk of wildfires is high. However, if there is not an alternative space available, create space between vegetated areas on the slope so that fire will have a harder time traveling between them. The steeper the slope, the more space there should be.

Keeping areas well-irrigated, especially during dry spells, will also decrease the chance of the surrounding plant life catching fire and putting your building at risk.

Critical Infrastructure

Last, but certainly not least, districts should determine what critical infrastructure they have and how they can best protect it. Critical infrastructure can include roads that serve as evacuation routes, communications systems, water storage, and electrical power sources.

FEMA recommends that electrical utilities and equipment be stored underground if at all possible. Where this is not feasible, equipment should still follow state and local safety requirements and the surrounding area should be kept clear of vegetation or other hazards.

Similarly, any fuel storage on the premises should be located underground and fuel lines should be buried or otherwise protected.

At minimum, your location should have established access and egress routes. While these routes should not be too far from each other, they should have enough space between them so that a blockage on one route does not compromise them both. Roads should be wide enough for a two-way stream of traffic so that emergency personnel are easily able to reach your district’s site. As with electrical utilities and open space, the vegetation around these routes should be managed to lower the risk of fires rendering them unusable.

Getting Started

Taking all of this into account when constructing a new site for your district will show insurers that you are not only aware of wildfire risks but are proactively working to mitigate them. While lowering insurance rates is always a worthy goal, implementing this advice can also help you protect your property, your employees, and your community.

For CSD Pool members looking for a place to start, a free visit from our safety consultants can help set you on the right track. You can request a consultation or facility inspection by emailing them directly at safety@csdpool.org. If you already know what fire safety measures you’d like to take, check if you district has funds available through our Safety Grant Program to ease the financial burden of protecting your most important assets.