The month of May has long been considered the start of Colorado’s wildfire season so first responders, the insurance industry and government officials are warning homeowners to plan ahead.
As Colorado Public Radio reports, the forest service recommends maintaining 100 to 200 feet between thin standing trees and structures; to mow standing grass to less than six inches; and to remove flammable vegetation within 15 feet of homes.
Many insurance carriers now require homeowners to do some sort of wildfire mitigation on their land to get a policy. Gov. John Hickenlooper recently told homeowners to follow fire bans and restrictions.
In related news, obstructing first responders by flying a drone into or near a wildfire could mean hefty fines and jail time under a measure passed through a Colorado Senate committee last week.
As The Denver Post reports, if the bill passes, anyone convicted of would face a fine of up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail. The bill now heads to the full Senate.
