A Commitment to a Safer Community
Safety and Preparedness Resources for the Public
Every second counts in a home fire.
The Difference is Night and Day!
Click Here for Grand County Wildfire Council (GCWC) Reflective Signs
Wildfire Preparedness
What are the primary threats to homes during a wildfire?
Research around home destruction vs. home survival in wildfires point to embers and small flames as the main way that the majority of homes ignite in wildfires. Embers are burning pieces of airborne wood and/or vegetation that can be carried more than a mile through the wind can cause spot fires and ignite homes, debris and other objects.
There are methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments. Experiments, models and post-fire studies have shown homes ignite due to the condition of the home and everything around it, up to 200’ from the foundation. This is called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ).
Firewise® Home Ignition Zone Helpful Tips
Keep 100 ft of garden hose attached.
Keep fire tools available: shovel, rake, ladder
Avoid outdoor burning.
Recycle, mulch, & compost whenever possible.
Remove debris buildup on and under decks.
Within 5 ft. of house, plant drought tolerant native plants.
Keep your roof clear of leaves, needles, & debris.
Keep your woodpile 30 ft from structures & fuel tanks.
Keep your grass green & mowed 100 feet from any structures.
For the next 70 feet, thin and prune your coniferous trees.
Keep driveways accessible for fire trucks and provide a turn-around area.
Keep burnable materials from under and around structures.
Grand County Evacuation Map
Smoke & CO Alarms General Information
Smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors have been proven to save lives! Are your batteries good? You know to change your batteries when you change your clocks (Daylight Savings), but did you realize that detectors expire? Be sure to check the date and replace smoke alarms within 10 years and CO alarms within 7 years of manufacture. Grand Lake Fire has smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors available for FREE at the station. We’ve done this to help get a smoke and CO alarm in every home in Grand Lake Fire’s district. Call us or stop by the station for more information.
Smoke and CO Alarm Checklist courtesy of Estes Valley Fire (PDF)
Smoke Alarms
America's fire death rate is one of the highest per capita in the industrialized world. Fire kills approximately 3,000 and injures approximately 20,000 people each year. The majority of deaths are in homes without a working smoke alarm. A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
A carbon monoxide detector or CO detector is a device that detects the presence of the carbon monoxide (CO) gas in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. CO is a colorless and odorless compound produced by incomplete combustion. It is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it is virtually undetectable without using detection technology. Elevated levels of CO can be dangerous to humans depending on the amount present and length of exposure. CO detectors are designed to measure CO levels overtime and sound an alarm before dangerous levels of CO accumulate in an environment, giving people adequate warning to safely ventilate the area or evacuate.
Home Heating Fire Prevention Tips
Heating equipment caused an estimated 56,000 home fires and caused 470 deaths between 2009 and 2013.* Learn how to stay safe.
Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heat sources.
NEVER leave a space heater unattended.
Turn off when leaving a room or sleeping.
NEVER plug a space heater into an extension cord.
NEVER use a cooking stove to heat your home or dry clothes.
Place heaters on level, flat surfaces ON THE GROUND.
Have a qualified service professional inspect your heating system annually. Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms.
Never use a space heater or any appliance with a damaged cord.
*According to the National Fire Protection Association
Code Red Emergency Alerts
Code Red is used by Grand County Sheriff’s Office to contact you in emergency situations or for critical community alerts. Examples include: evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, and missing child reports.
More Helpful Home Tips
Keep Fire Hydrants Clear
If there’s a fire hydrant near your house, do your part to keep it accessible this winter.
Remove any snow and ice.
Clear a wide enough perimeter around the hydrant for firefighters to work (about 3 feet)
Clear a path from hydrant to street