Wildfires
In Colorado, wildfires will always be a natural part of the beautiful state we have chosen to call home. However, wildfires have evolved in recent years, making them extremely dangerous and challenging for firefighters to control.
Please use this page to help you prepare for a wildfire so you can leave early; confident that you have done everything reasonably possible to protect your home and loved ones from a destructive wildfire.
What is Wildland Urban Interface?
The wildland urban interface (WUI) is the line between where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. The majority of Coloradans live in the WUI and that number continues to increase as more residents build homes in the Wildfire Urban Interface.
Wildland fires have always been an integral part of our natural ecosystem, and in the past, fire departments have let them burn to keep our forests healthy. But as the WUI grows, these fires have become an increasing problem for fire departments across the country and can have devastating impacts when they occur close to homes, neighborhoods and communities. Communities need to understand the risks and make changes to their environments to make them less susceptible to fire.
A Fire-Adapted Community (FAC) collaborates to identify its wildfire risk and works collectively on actionable steps to reduce its risk of loss. This work protects property and increases the safety of firefighters and residents.
Find out How to Become a Fire-Adapted Community
South Metro Fire Rescue has formally adopted the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code; however, we are not currently administering or enforcing the code within our district, as it is currently being managed by our local partner jurisdictions that have adopted it.
SMFR continues to support these partners and our community with wildfire mitigation efforts.
Watch a South Metro Wildfire Response
