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Firewise Resources

SLASHing your Fire Risk: SLASH Event and Pick-Up Days in September

Ken-Caryl Ranch is proud to offer an additional three-day SLASH Drop-Off Event as part of ongoing efforts to promote wildfire mitigation. Residents can drop off their SLASH at the Equestrian Center on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District Parks Department will be on hand with the chipper. Residents are encouraged, if possible, to drop off their SLASH, but a limited number of curbside pickups will be offered by the Master Association Ranger staff on Thursday, Sept. 28 and Friday, Sept. 29. Curbside pickups must be signed up for in advance, and a signup form will be available online starting Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. on the dedicated Firewise page of our website.

No reservations are necessary for residents to drop off their SLASH at the Equestrian Center on Sept. 30. Drop-off SLASH at any time during the event.

What is SLASH?

SLASH is debris, from nature, such as tree limbs and prunings (no rose stems or cacti). If not removed, slash can add to potential fire hazards on your property. Removing SLASH and creating a defensible space around your home is the first line of defense against wildfires. You can create zones around your home, removing any fire fuels, such as tree debris. Having a properly mitigated property doesn’t mean that wildfire will pass you by, but it gives the fire department a better opportunity to save your home when it does come.

Requirements for pick up:

  • Woody vegetation only. No rose stems or cacti.
  • Piles that have rocks, dirt/debris, trash or root wads will not be accepted.
  • Must be piled on edge of front property line with butt ends pointing towards the street. No overhead obstructions.
  • Each property limited to approximately 5cy or a single pile measuring 6’wide x 8’long x 3’ high.
  • SLASH must be ready on the curb by 8 a.m. on the pick-up day. SLASH will be picked up between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. that day. Residents do not need to be home for pick-up.
  • Staff not responsible for sweeping or pick up of fine debris that has settled on ground under pile.

*One sign-up per resident/household. Duplicate sign-ups will be deleted. SLASH will not be picked-up in the open space.

Fuel Hazard Assessment

Schedule a consultation with a Fire Mitigation Specialist to identify mitigation measures for potential hazards on and around your property.

Community Wildfire Preparedness

Start with these two simple steps:
  1. Register with LookoutAlert (formerly CodeRed) to receive notifications of emergencies including wildfire evacuation notices.
  2. Review the Home Ignition Zone Checklist for a step-by-step checklist. Choose one item at a time and check it off the list!

Once you’ve completed the two steps above, check out the other Firewise Resources below.

Community Wildfire Preparedness Meeting

Ken-Caryl hosted an online meeting in February 2022 addressing LookoutAlert (Formerly CodeRED) and evacuations, Preparing for Wildfire in Ken-Caryl, Jefferson County Wildfire Commission Update, Wildfire Risks, Mitigation, and Preparation, and Open Space Concerns.

The meeting recording is available below.

2021 Community Wildfire Protection Plan

West Metro Fire District, in conjunction with local fire and land management agencies, has developed a 2021 Wildfire Protection Plan. The plan identifies and prioritizes areas for hazardous fuel reductions treatments and recommends the types of treatment that will aid in protecting communities in the study area. The plan also recommends measures to reduce the ignitability of structures. The study area includes the Ken-Caryl Ranch Valley and North Ranch.

Ken-Caryl Ranch Becomes a Firewise Community

Ken-Caryl Ranch is taking action to reduce our wildfire risk and improve safety. We are one of 1,200 recognized Firewise communities across the nation taking action and ownership in preparing and protecting their homes against the threat of wildfire. Using a five-step process, communities develop an action plan that guides their residential risk reduction activities, while engaging and encouraging their neighbors to become active participants in building a safer place to live.

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Guidelines for Residents Living Next to Open Space

The most effective way to reduce wildfire risks at your property is to limit the amount of flammable vegetation around your home, choose ignition resistant building materials and construction techniques, and conduct regular exterior maintenance in the home ignition zones (see more details at https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire).

For residents living adjacent to open space, you are allowed to maintain a 10’ wide buffer zone in open space to reinforce defensible space treatments on your property. See below for details of allowed maintenance activities in the buffer zone:

DO:

  • Mow grasses to height of no less than 4”.
  • Remove woody vegetation 4” in diameter or less (measured at the base of the tree or shrub).
  • Remove dead branches or logs that are lying on the ground.

DON’T:

  • Do not mow or remove any vegetation beyond the 10’ buffer zone
  • Do not remove or prune branches from trees larger than 4” in diameter at the base (if there is a concern about woody vegetation larger than 4” in diameter at the base, contact the Open Space Department Staff and they will evaluate the concern and determine if additional removal/pruning is necessary).
  • Do not dump or store anything including slash, grass clippings, dirt, other landscaping debris.
  • Do not alter, build, or install anything including landscaping, play equipment, decks, walls, fences, buried invisible pet fences or bird feeders/houses.

*NOTE: FAILURE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THE ABOVE RULES COULD LEAD TO A VIOLATION NOTICE INCLUDING POSSIBLE FINES AND LOSS OF ASSOCIATION PRIVILEGES.

Be aware that by maintaining the 10’ buffer zone in open space and choosing not to address fire hazards on your own property will do very little if nothing to protect your home. The most effective way to protect your property from fire is to implement defensible space recommendations starting at the house and moving out from there.

Firewise Contacts

Ken-Caryl Ranch Park Rangers: 303-979-1876, ext. 170
Colorado State Forest Service: 303-279-9757