Firewise Resources

2024 National Firewise Certificate

Ken-Caryl Ranch Firewise Community Survey

The Master Association (MA) is hosting a community survey to gather feedback on the direction of the Ken-Caryl Ranch Firewise Committee and wildfire mitigation efforts directed by the MA. The goal is to better understand the value these efforts by staff and the Firewise Committee provide, and how we can better serve the needs of the Ken-Caryl community in terms of fire mitigation efforts, initiatives, education, risk reduction and how to adapt to living with wildfire.

Please take a moment to complete the following survey to share your thoughts by clicking on the button below. Survey closes on Friday, March 22 at 5 p.m.

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

Mark your calendars for our next SLASH Removal Day on April 27 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Equestrian Center. Members of the KCRMD Parks Department will be at the Equestrian Center to collect and chip SLASH, which are considered to be tree debris, loose pine needles, pinecones and tree bark that can easily ignite and fuel wildfires. The KCRMA Ranger staff­ will be offering resident SLASH collection and curbside pickup as a courtesy to residents on April 24 and April 25. Residents who wish to participate in curbside collection must sign up prior to the event via our website. Registration opens on March 25 at 9 a.m. For more information, including pickup requirements, please click on the SLASH Registration button.

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.

firewise logo
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