Boulder County Community Wildfire Protection Plan

This story map for the Boulder County CWPP allows you to explore the plan through maps, graphics, and other visual resources

SWCA Environmental Consultants

Introduction

Welcome!  

This interactive web application focuses on Boulder County's plan to protect the community from wildfires (Community Wildfire Protection Plan [CWPP]).

This Story Map serves as the condensed, digital companion to the Boulder County CWPP. Navigate through the story map by scrolling or using the right-hand side scroll bar. Explore different sections by clicking on the section headers at the top. On smaller screens, use the arrows near the header to access more sections. For additional details, click on the buttons or links to access external information. 

This story map is designed to involve the public in updating and implementing the CWPP. You can contact the planning team directly via email with any questions:

Boulder County Wildfire Partners Forest and Grasslands Project Coordinator, Meg Halford:

mhalford@bouldercounty.gov

SWCA Project Manager, Ari Porter:

arianna.porter@swca.com

SWCA Assistant Project Manager, Sam Lashley:

sam.lashley@swca.com

The story map will be updated as new information becomes available. Please visit the story map regularly for information on how the public can engage in this process by clicking on the  Public Involvement  heading in the navigation bar.  

Use the 3D viewer to the right to explore the current wildfire incidents. To explore the 3D view, click on the map to activate and use the left button on your mouse to move directionally and the right button to move three-dimensionally.

You can also view current wildfire information through FIRMS' website using the Fire Information for Resource Management System. FIRMS distributes near real-time active fire data available through satellite observation.

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Executive Summary

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a collaborative document developed for a community, or group of communities, in the wildland urban interface (WUI). It is a comprehensive and strategic plan that aims to address the risk of wildfire to people, property, and natural and cultural resources. CWPPs are developed with the participation of local residents, community leaders, land managers, fire personnel, and other stakeholders and experts.  

The CWPP process involves a thorough assessment of the community's wildfire risk and vulnerabilities, including the analysis of fire history, fuel (vegetation) conditions, weather patterns, and the community's capacity to respond to wildfire events. Based on the assessment, the CWPP outlines a set of actions that can be taken to reduce the risk and improve the community's preparedness and resiliency. 

Goal of this CWPP

The goal of this CWPP is to enhance safety from wildfires by protecting lives, property, and critical infrastructure, while also enhancing  public awareness by helping residents, visitors, and homeowners better understand the natural- and human-caused risks of wildland fires that threaten lives, safety, and the local economy.   

This CWPP aims to achieve these goals in Boulder County by coordinating local efforts in fire mitigation, preparedness, and response. This plan empowers community members, civic groups, businesses, and government agencies to work together to identify high-risk fire areas, prioritize mitigation strategies, and enhance public awareness about wildfire risks.  

Purpose

The purpose of this CWPP is to facilitate a wildfire risk assessment at a county-wide scale, collaboratively identify preparedness and risk reduction actions, provide a framework for future planning and implementation of the identified mitigation measures, and provide guidance on educational opportunities and resources for the community. 

Key Features of the Boulder County CWPP

  •  Public Involvement:  The Public Involvement tab details past and current public engagement. During the CWPP process, a large focus was engaging the community through online surveys, virtual and in-person meetings, and digital platforms.
  •  Fire Environment:  The Fire Environment tab details the conditions that influence wildfire behavior, including the WUI, vegetation types, fire behavior fuel models, and fire history.
  •  Fire Response : The Fire Response tab details local, state, and federal fire response resources and protocols.
  •  Wildfire Risk Assessment:  The Wildfire Risk Assessment tab utilizes advanced mapping and fire modeling to demonstrate wildfire risk and guide mitigation efforts.
  •  Mitigation Strategies:  The Mitigation Strategies tab contains comprehensive preventative measures and landscape management practices on the County scale to address fire risk.
  •  Monitoring and Evaluation Strategies:  The Monitoring and Evaluation Strategies tab includes monitoring strategies to track progress, evaluate work, and manage the plan effectively, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the CWPP.
  •  Post-Fire Recovery:  The Post-fire Recovery tab gives information and resources regarding post-fire recovery and restoration.
  •  Homeowner/Renter Resources:  this tab contains resources for community members looking to reduce risk.
  •  CWPP Document:  This tab contains the final CWPP document.

National Cohesive Strategy

The 2024 CWPP has been aligned with the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (Cohesive Strategy) and its Phase III Western Regional Action Plan by adhering to the nation-wide goal “To safely and effectively extinguish fire, when needed; use fire where allowable; manage our natural resources; and as a Nation, live with wildland fire.” (Forests and Rangelands 2014:3).  

The primary, national goals in achieving this vision are:  

  • Resilient Landscapes – Landscapes, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries are resilient to fire, insect, disease, invasive species and climate change disturbances, in accordance with management objectives. 
  • Fire Adapted Communities – Human populations and infrastructure are as prepared as possible to receive, respond to, and recover from wildland fire. 
  • Safe, Effective, Risk-based Wildfire Response – All jurisdictions participate in making and implementing safe, effective, efficient risk-based wildfire management decisions. 

For more information on the Cohesive Strategy, click the button below. 

Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA)

This CWPP has been, and all future updates will be developed in response to the federal Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003.  

For additional details on the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003,  visit the The Healthy Forests Initiative and Healthy Forests Restoration Act Interim Field Guide . 

Project History

As wildfire severity increases, communities need a plan to help prepare for, reduce the risk of, and adapt to wildland fire events. Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) provide an opportunity to address, though not eliminate wildfire risk. The previous Boulder County CWPP was finalized in 2011.

The 2024 Boulder County CWPP Update aims to enhance the County's wildfire resilience and adaptability, reduce risks to human health and safety, and establish a mechanism for monitoring and measuring the progress over time. This update emphasizes public and stakeholder engagement and serves as a valuable resource for accessing various grant opportunities.

Planning Area

The planning area includes all 726 square miles of Boulder County, featuring urban and rural settings, foothills, valleys, and mountain peaks. The county's landscape, divided into eastern terrain and western mountainous regions, presents unique wildfire management challenges requiring tailored approaches for effective mitigation and resilience.

View the land ownership within the planning area in the map on the right.

Existing and Ongoing Mitigation Programs

Boulder County’s previous CWPP was completed in 2011. In the last 13 years, Boulder County has taken great strides toward addressing wildfire risk.    

To view Boulder County’s Wildfire Resilience and Community Mitigation Accomplishments within the planning area over the last 13 years, see  Chapter 1 of the CWPP .   

One example is the  Boulder County Community Forestry Sort Yards . Community members can drop off logs, slash, and timber for free at these two sort yards, allowing for useful disposal of hazardous fuels.

Public Involvement

Public Feedback  

Public feedback was collected through multiple channels, including in-person events and online surveys.

Feedback gathered from the in-person CWPP events highlighted interest in the following:

  • Fuel Management practices such as:
    • Habitat-sensitive reforestation
    • Cost-effective forest floor fuels reduction
    • Invasive species control
  • Public education and Awareness initiatives such as:
    • Wildfire mitigation sessions in neighborhoods
    • Awareness of wind impacts and camping considerations
    • Concerns about evacuation routes, traffic, alert systems, and accessibility
    • Collaboration with County planning and disaster recovery experts

The online survey resulted in numerous key findings regarding the public's current wildfire mitigation awareness and input for the CWPP:

  • Wildfire risk communication is strong through neighbors and neighborhood groups.
  • Local/state websites and cell phones the primary sources of wildfire information.
  • The public believes the responsibility for fire preparedness falls upon individuals and local governments.
  • The public is looking for unified policies, incentives for fire-resistant construction, and improved evacuation planning and communication.

Scheduled Events  

None at this time.

Communication Tools   

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Fire Environment

The fire environment describes the conditions which influence wildfire behavior. Here we describe the wildland urban interface (WUI), urban configuration, fire ecology, vegetation, fire behavior, fuel models, fire history, and future challenges.

Wildfire Behavior Triangle

In Boulder County, the distinct characteristics of fuel, topography, and weather interact to shape the region's wildfire dynamics, each influenced by specific local conditions.

  • Fuel: In the eastern parts of Boulder County, high plains mixed-grass prairies dominate. In contrast, the western areas are covered by forests with species like ponderosa pine and subalpine fir.
  • Topography: Boulder County's terrain varies from flat plains in the east, to steep, rugged mountainous regions in the west. This topography not only influences local climate but also affects wildfire behavior. Fires tend to spread faster uphill, preheating and drying the vegetation in their path.
  • Weather:
    • Temperature: Boulder County's summers are hot and dry, with temperatures frequently exceeding 80°F, creating conditions that are highly conducive to wildfires. 
    • Wind: The County's prevailing westerly winds significantly influence wildfire spread. High winds can increase both the intensity and the speed of wildfires.
    • Precipitation: While Boulder County’s peak rainfall occurs in April and May, the source water protection area to the west generally receives most of its precipitation during the winter and spring (receiving on average almost 40% more precipitation).

Wind is a critical and unpredictable factor in fire behavior, causing fast spread, long flame lengths, and high fireline intensity, complicating suppression efforts. The 2021 Marshall Fire, with gusts of 60 to 100 mph, exemplifies the destructive power of wind-driven fires. Historically, major fires in Boulder County, such as the Cal Wood and Lefthand Canyon Fires, have been driven by high winds, often from downed power lines. 

By tailoring wildfire management strategies to these specific conditions—acknowledging the distinct needs of grasslands and forests, and considering the challenges posed by the local topography and weather patterns—Boulder County can enhance its effectiveness in mitigating and managing wildfire risks. 

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)   

The delineation of the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) for the Boulder County CWPP was established by defining areas where human development intersects with wildland vegetation, creating conditions conducive to rapid fire spread. This definition considers intermix areas where wildland vegetation is interspersed among structures, facilitating quick fire propagation between structural and vegetative fuels.

The Boulder County WUI delineation captures potential WUI areas countywide while directing to local CWPP efforts for detailed delineations. This delineation may evolve with future modeling results and a better understanding of WUI dynamics across the county.

It's important to note that this county-scale WUI boundary offers regional and subregional information, and interpretations may vary among agencies and planning scales based on environmental factors, topography, and fuel types.

The map to the right is the 2024 WUI map of the Boulder County Planning Area.

Urban Conflagration in Boulder County

 What is Urban Conflagration?

Urban conflagration is a large, uncontrollable fire that spreads quickly through urban areas, threatening buildings, infrastructure, and lives.

Why is it a concern?

In Boulder County, the risk of urban conflagration is particularly relevant due to the County's location within the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). Factors like drought, high winds, dense development, and climate change increase the likelihood and potential severity of these fires.

Strategies for Mitigation and Preparedness:

  • Education and Regulation: Public campaigns and fire safety regulations help reduce risk by promoting safer building practices and land use.
  • Community and Household Mitigation: Actions include managing vegetation around homes and modifying structures to make them less flammable.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Investments in early warning systems, better firefighting equipment, and training improve readiness and response capabilities.
  • Suppression and Resilience: Effective firefighting strategies and community resilience programs ensure quicker recovery and adaption to future threats.

Specific Actions for Boulder County Residents:

  • Manage Vegetation: Reduce the amount of flammable vegetation near homes.
  • Space Out Trees: Increase spacing in the tree canopy around properties to decrease fire spread.
  • Build Responsibly: Use non-combustible materials for construction and ensure adequate space between buildings.

Social Vulnerability

Wildfires pose a higher risk to specific groups in Boulder County, including individuals with disabilities, the unhoused, non-English speakers, those without access to a vehicle, and other individuals with functional and access needs. These groups are often situated in high fire risk areas and may use open flames for warmth and cooking, increasing their exposure to fire hazards. 

Utilizing Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)

The Boulder County CWPP uses the SVI data from the CDC and ATSDR, which is based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. This index helps identify the areas and populations that are most at risk and require targeted fire mitigation and emergency preparedness efforts. 

Challenges in Social Vulnerability Assessment

Measuring social vulnerability is complex due to limitations in data availability, reliability, and the appropriateness of the geographical scale of the data. The SVI provides a framework but also has inherent challenges, including the accuracy of data in small or rural populations and the selection of indicators that may not have been empirically tested. 

Impact and Strategy

Recognizing these vulnerabilities allows Boulder to tailor communication and emergency response strategies to effectively support these populations in the event of a wildfire, ensuring that preparedness and response efforts are inclusive and equitable. 

Fire Ecology

Fire ecology encompasses various attributes that describe the fire regime, including severity, frequency, seasonality, spatial pattern, and type of fire. Human activities, such as fire suppression and changes in land use, have altered historic fire regimes, resulting in more homogenous and fuel-rich landscapes conducive to large, intense wildfires. Understanding historic fire regimes across different ecosystems in Boulder County aids in classifying, prioritizing, and planning fuels treatments to restore the natural ecological role of fire.  

Western Boulder County is characterized by diverse forest types with ecosystems that vary significantly based on elevation and proximity to other ecological zones.  

  • Lower Montane life zone: Experiences highly variable fire regimes.
  • Upper Montane life zone: Situated at mid-elevations, features dry mixed-conifer forests with low-frequency but mixed-severity fires. 
  • Subalpine life zone: Found at higher elevations, consists of spruce-fir forests with stand-replacing fires occurring every few decades to centuries. 

The eastern part of Boulder County is characterized by high plains mixed-grass prairies.  

  • Plains Life Zone: Historically experienced frequent low-severity fires, but fire suppression and land use changes have altered the fire regime. 
  • Lower Foothills Ecotone: Transitioning from grasses to shrubs and scattered trees, has a highly variable fire regime.

Vegetation Types and Fuels

The maps to the right depict vegetation types (right) and the corresponding fuel models (left) in the planning region. The fuel map translates vegetation types into fire behavior fuel models that can be used to predict the type of fire behavior that can be expected in the event those fuels undergo combustion.  

To toggle between the two maps, move the slider back and forth. 

Fuel models (left) categorize vegetation (right) based on their burning characteristics, affecting wildfire spread, intensity, and severity. In contrast, vegetation types classify plant communities like grasslands or forests without considering fire behavior. The COAL Quantitative Wildfire Risk Assessment (utilized during the CWPP update process) uses and builds upon the 40 fire behavior fuel models established by Scott and Burgan, a standard for fuels modeling. Scott and Burgan fuel models are described using the abbreviations below:

  • (NB) Non-burnable
  • (GR) Grass
  • (GS) Grass-Shrub
  • (SB) Slash-Blowdown
  • (SH) Shrub
  • (TL) Timber Litter
  • (TU) Timber-Understory

In Western Boulder County, diverse terrain ranging from Rocky Mountain foothills to mid-elevation conifer forests influences fire risk. Dominated by grass-shrub (GS), timber-understory (TU), and timber-litter (TL) fuels, the region’s dense conifer timber litter fuels heighten fire spread risk. Varied terrain and non-burnable rocky areas impact wildfire behavior, posing hazards to local communities. 

Eastern Boulder County, characterized by flatter terrain and urban areas like Boulder and Longmont, exhibits a mix of grass (GR) and grass-shrub (GS) fuels in the transition zone between foothills and plains. Open grass areas promote rapid fire spread, while grass-shrub fuels facilitate fire movement between plains and foothills, leading to complex fire behavior with rapid spread and increased intensity. 

To learn more about the fuel models, follow this link to  Scott and Burgan's publication .  

Fire History and Impacts

Fire is a natural and essential part of Colorado's diverse landscapes, crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems. Historically, Colorado Native American tribes used prescribed fires to sustain these ecosystems. However, in the 1800s, settlers enforced fire suppression and livestock grazing.

While some forests and grasslands may still follow their historic fire regimes, fire suppression has negatively impacted ecosystem health and agricultural water infrastructure. Additionally, human expansion, climate change, and forest health degradation have disrupted the balance between wildfire and ecosystem interactions (USFS 2015; Higuera 2021).  

Colorado’s fire season has been estimated to occur between mid-May and mid-October (Wei et al. 2016). However, as the Marshall Fire shows, fires can occur at any time of the year when dry conditions, extreme wind, and burnable fuel are present. It is important to note that the largest fires that have occurred in the planning area have not occurred during the typical fire season months.  

Use the time slider on the map to the right to explore existing fire history data from 1930 to 2022. The orange shapes depict the fire perimeters. As is demonstrated by the fire history map, the County has a robust history of both small and large fires occurring throughout the County. 

Fire Response  

Local Response

In Boulder County, local police and fire departments coordinate incident management, with the Boulder County Communications Center handling initial attacks within the county. If needed, the Fort Collins Interagency Dispatch Center and the Division of Fire Prevention and Control are notified for additional support. Incident command usually falls to the associated Fire Protection District Fire Chief or, for larger incidents, the county sheriff. 

State Response

At a regional level, fire response is led by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC). The DFPC’s Wildland Fire Management Section (WFMS) manages wildfires on local and state lands and coordinates wildfire management across local, state, and federal agencies. 

Federal Response

Fire response for national forest land in the Planning Area is a joint effort involving local ranger districts. Dispatch for national forest and grassland fires is handled by the Fort Collins Interagency Dispatch Center. Additional resources include the Northern Colorado Interagency Helitack and Jeffco Airtanker base in Broomfield, providing regional air support for wildfires. 

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

During significant incidents causing major damage or community disruption, the Emergency Operations Center is activated. This hub, whether physical or virtual, centralizes command and facilitates the flow of information, helping leaders make informed decisions. 

Evacuation Resources 

Please follow the latest guidance from trusted sources, like government agencies, for evacuation orders, especially as emergency response plans change. 

Effective wildfire evacuation relies on cooperative planning and residents' understanding of procedures. The Boulder Office of Disaster Management (ODM) emphasizes this in its Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and provides resources for emergency preparedness. Challenges include narrow, winding roads in mountainous areas, which complicate evacuations. 

The county uses systems like Everbridge and the ReachWell App for emergency notifications in multiple languages, with recent upgrades after the 2021 Marshall Fire to improve alert effectiveness. Challenges include narrow, winding roads in mountainous areas, which complicate evacuations. 

Boulder Office of Disaster Management (ODM)

The Boulder Office of Disaster Management plays a critical role in emergency preparedness and response in Boulder and Boulder County.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT):

The CERT program trains volunteers in basic disaster response skills, helping to enhance community resilience.  Click here to learn more about CERT. 

Community and Tourist Safety through IPAWS

The integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS) helps reach both local and tourists during emergencies, ensuring everyone, regardless of their registration for local alerts, receives life-saving information.  Click here for more information on IPAWS from Boulder County. 

Animals and Livestock Safety

Planning for pets and livestock evacuation is crucial and often overlooked.  Click here for resources from Colorado State University for managing livestock during emergencies. 

Wildfire Risk Assessment

Purpose of the Quantitative Risk Assessment  

The Quantitative Risk Assessment is a critical tool designed for managing wildfire risks effectively. Its completion allows land use managers, fire officials, planners, and other stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that reduce the threat of wildfires. 

Colorado All Lands Quantitative Risk Assessment

The Colorado All Lands (COAL) Quantitative Risk Assessment, developed by Pyrologix in collaboration with CSFS and USFS experts, provides standardized assessments of hazard, vulnerability, and risk across Colorado's landscape. 

In the realm of wildfire management, risk is understood as the intersection where potential hazards—like the likelihood and severity of wildfires—meet with vulnerabilities such as the physical characteristics and location of structures. 

Components of Hazards:

  • Probability: This is the likelihood of a wildfire occurring in a specific area, determined by historical data on weather and past fires. Predictive models enhance this data by considering changes in climate that affect conditions like dryness and temperature.
  • Intensity: This refers to the potential severity of a wildfire, influenced by factors such as weather conditions, landscape topography, and the type of fuel available.

Components of Vulnerabilities:

  • Exposure: The proximity of structures to potential fuel sources like dense vegetation or known fire-prone areas. The closer a structure is to these elements, the higher the exposure and potential for ignition.
  • Susceptibility/Sensitivity: How the specific characteristics of a building, such as construction materials and design, affect its likelihood of catching fire.

Risk

Risk is the potential for loss or damage when these hazardous wildfire characteristics encounter vulnerable structures. Homeowners can significantly reduce risk by adopting measures like managing nearby vegetation and using fire-resistant materials.

The map to the right shows Wildfire Hazard (likelihood and severity) throughout Boulder County. Wildfire hazard is categorized on a spectrum from high to low, with cool colors (blue) showing low hazard and hot colors (red) showing high hazard. Note that wildfire hazard is greatest in areas with steep topography and high fuel loading. 

Expected Risk to Potential Structures and Wildfire Risk to Assets

Quantitative assessments of wildfire risk rely on three main factors: the likelihood of a fire happening, the expected intensity of the fire, and the location of resources and assets (e.g., homes, infrastructure, trails, etc.) in relation to vegetation that can fuel the fire.

Expected Risk to Potential Structures

This map shows the expected risk to a structure if it were to occur on the landscape in that location. This map allows land managers to compare areas on the landscape that are currently developed to those that are not. 

Wildfire Risk to Assets

This map allows the user to understand wildfire risk to existing Highly Valued Resources and Assets (HVRAs). The resources and assets assessed are people and property, infrastructure, water, and vegetation. 

Use the buttons below to toggle between the "risk to potential structures" and "risk to assets" maps. 

Technical details regarding the development of the "Expected Risk to Potential Structures" and "Wildfire Risk to Assets" datasets are available for reference in Chapter 3 and Appendix D of the CWPP. 

Community Hazard Assessment

To see these analyses in smaller-scale regions throughout the County,  please view Chapter 3 of the CWPP. 

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Mitigation Strategies

The Boulder County CWPP has been aligned with the  Cohesive Strategy  and its  Phase III Western Regional Action Plan  by adhering to the nation-wide goal “To safely and effectively extinguish fire, when needed; use fire where allowable; manage our natural resources; and collectively, learn to live with wildland fire. ” 

The CWPP provides recommendation matrices as an action plan for implementing wildfire risk mitigation strategies. The recommendations adhere to the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) minimum requirements for Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) and align with the 2020 Colorado Forest Action Plan. Collaborative efforts are encouraged, and many projects overlap with other local CWPP priorities. 

As a non-regulatory document, the CWPP's recommendations are not mandatory but serve as guidance to mitigate wildfire risk. Implementation decisions rest with Boulder County representatives, land managers, homeowners, and stakeholders, who should involve subject matter experts to balance ecological impacts with risk reduction. Including diverse stakeholders ensures projects provide maximum community and ecological benefits. 

Restore and Maintain Landscapes

Goal 1 of the Cohesive Strategy and the Western Regional Action Plan is: Restore and Maintain Landscapes.

Landscapes, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries are resilient to fire, insect, disease, invasive species and climate change disturbances, in accordance with management objectives. 

The following information and guidance are provided at a broad scale since this is a county CWPP. More detailed recommendations have been developed for local CWPPs throughout the county and these efforts can be viewed in Appendix J of the CWPP.  

Recommended Treatments based on Dominant Fuel Types in the Planning Area

In Boulder County's planning area, the dominant fuel types each require specific treatment approaches. The top fuel types include various grasslands and timber areas, each characterized by distinct fuel loads and vegetation structures. Broad treatment recommendations for these dominant fuel types, which can be implemented in various communities and spatial contexts depending on available funding and capacity, can be viewed below. 

Potential Operational Delineations (PODs)

The map the right illustrates the Potential Operational Delineations (PODs) within Boulder County and beyond. The USFS, in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Research Station, developed PODs to aid wildfire preplanning and management.

Land managers should prioritize mitigation in high-risk areas to protect life and property, considering POD boundaries when planning site-specific treatments to slow fire spread and mitigate extreme fire behavior. 

County-wide Treatment Priority Areas for Action

The map to the right highlights specific priority areas within the planning area that require priority attention for wildfire risk mitigation. The delineation of these areas was done collaboratively based on Core Team expertise and a variety of mapping products.  

Fire Adapted Communities

Goal 2 of the Cohesive Strategy/Western Regional Action Plan is: Fire-Adapted Communities.

Human populations and infrastructure are as prepared as possible to receive, respond to, and recover from wildland fire.  

Actions on the landscape play a role in reducing wildfire hazard, but public education and community engagement are equally vital. Lack of knowledge and failure to take positive actions, such as creating defensible space, contribute to increased risk in the WUI. Collaboration among residents is crucial in communities with neighboring structures to reduce wildfire risk collectively.  

Boulder County has prioritized public engagement in the CWPP development process through events, advertisements, and surveys. The Recommendation Table for Creating Fire-Adapted Communities lists community-based recommendations for reducing structural ignitability and identifies activities that emphasize the importance of tailored public education and engagement programs.  

Homeowner/Renter Actions for Structural Ignitability

Home Insurance and Wildfire Partners

Insurance availability and cost related to wildfire risk is a significant concern for Boulder County residents, prompting many to implement home hardening upgrades to reduce wildfire risk and maintain insurance policies. Boulder County addresses this issue through Wildfire Partners, a public-private partnership formed in 2013 to tackle insurability challenges. Since 2014, hundreds of homeowners have used the Wildfire Partners certification to secure or retain insurance.  

The program involves a detailed home assessment and offers financial aid for mitigation efforts. Certified homes do not receive insurance discounts but rather improve their level of insurability. Wildfire Partners has become a national model, encouraging ongoing mitigation efforts and influencing insurance industry practices. For more information, see the Fire Adapted Communities section in Chapter 4 of the CWPP. 

Safe and Effective Wildfire Response

Goal 3 of the Cohesive Strategy/Western Regional Action Plan is: Safe and Effective Wildfire Response.

All jurisdictions participate in making and implementing safe, effective, efficient risk-based wildfire management decisions. 

A balanced wildfire response needs integrated pre-fire planning and coordinated emergency response. Broad recommendations for implementing safe, effective, efficient risk-based wildfire management decisions, which can be implemented in various communities and spatial contexts depending on available funding and capacity, can be viewed below.  

Please visit the County's wildfire preparedness webpage and Boulder ODMs Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan for more information on fire response.

Monitoring and Updates

Monitoring

Monitoring the progress and effectiveness of on-the-ground risk reduction efforts, a task that often spans months or even years, is essential. Additionally, it is imperative to monitor changes in policies, requirements, stakeholders, and preparedness levels which may affect the future CWPP Update.  

Chapter 5 of the CWPP offers more detailed information on monitoring and evaluation strategies, including both quantitative and qualitative, aimed at assessing the achievement of goals and objectives outlined in the plan.  

Timeline for Updating the CWPP

The Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) provides the CWPP Core Team with the flexibility to decide when to update their Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).  

While it's recommended to formally revise the CWPP every five years, starting from the date it was signed, certain circumstances may necessitate earlier updates. These triggers include major wildfires, significant changes in local planning, or the adoption of international codes specific to the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI).  

Additionally, the Core Team should convene annually to review projects, celebrate successes, discuss funding strategies, and assess the need for any plan revisions. More frequent updates to the Story Map will keep the public informed about wildfire planning.  

Post-Fire Recovery  

Post-fire recovery is a multifaceted process essential for community and environmental restoration. It includes coordinating community response teams for emergencies, ensuring safety when returning home, and rebuilding affected areas.  

Learn more about ongoing recovery efforts and view progress at the Boulder County recovery dashboard.

Post-Fire Community Response

The following resources and programs are designed to support effective recovery and resilience-building in communities affected by wildfires, ensuring a coordinated approach to disaster management and assistance. 

  •  Colorado Post-Fire Playbook  
    • The Colorado Post-Fire Playbook serves as an actionable guide for counties, tribes, municipalities, and water providers, detailing critical steps and contacts to facilitate post-fire recovery within the first 30 days, addressing hazards like erosion, water contamination, and infrastructure damage. 
  •  Boulder County After the Disaster Guidebook 
    • Post-fire hazards such as flash flooding and unstable roads can pose significant risks. The Boulder County guidebook offers crucial re-entry safety tips and a post-fire supply list to help residents navigate the aftermath safely.  
  • Open Space and Mountain Parks Disaster Recovery
    • Following major disasters like the 2013 floods, Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks have mobilized thousands of volunteers for recovery efforts.  
  • Boulder County Office of Disaster Management
    • The Office of Disaster Management handles recovery phases from mass care services to long-term recovery planning.
  • Recovery Navigators Program
    • Launched after the Marshall Fire, this program assists individuals and families in navigating post-disaster challenges from funding applications to mental health services.  
  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
    • Developed by FEMA, the CERT program trains community members in basic disaster response skills, including fire safety, light search and rescue, and team organization. 
  • Post-Fire Coordination Group (PFCG)
    • Communities are encouraged to establish a PFCG to manage post-wildfire recovery and mitigation actions.  

To learn about more post-fire recovery resources,  visit the After the Flames .

Rebuilding Affected Areas & Long Term Recovery

Rebuilding communities after a wildfire involves restoring both the built and natural environments. This includes securing financial resources to support the reconstruction of homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Special attention is required for socially vulnerable groups to ensure equitable recovery.

Ecological restoration efforts such as soil stabilization, watershed restoration, and tree planting are critical to prevent erosion and runoff, particularly in areas that have suffered high-severity burns.   Click here to view the Colorado Post Fire Recovery Playbook. 

Marshall Fire Recovery

Following the Marshall Fire, Boulder County, and other stakeholders joined forces with communities and agencies to deliver extensive recovery resources and information to residents.  

 Explore the recovery web page  to learn more about what Boulder area governments are doing to provide post-disaster recovery resources. 

Homeowner/Renter Resources

Local

Boulder County

Boulder County Wildfire Partners

Boulder County Office of Disaster Management

Create a "Go Bag/Grab List"

State

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC)

Colorado State Forest Service  

Misc.

National

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)  

Protecting your Home

Preparation and Evacuation   

Wildfire Risk to Communities  

FEMA

Red Cross

EPA

Ready.gov

International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)

Other Resources  

Contact Us

The CWPP is a guiding document for fire and emergency managers, as well as agencies who manage land within the County. The CWPP is designed to serve county residents, and we encourage your interest and engagement in the process. For more information, please contact the project team at arianna.porter@swca.com

How to Navigate 

Click on the section headers across the top to view the story map content.   

On smaller screens, click the yellow arrow on the right-hand side of the header to view more sections. When reading through content, you can view more information by clicking on underlined features in the text.   

To view the content, scroll or use the scroll bar on the right-hand side to navigate up and down.  

Disclaimer & Acknowledgements

Disclaimer

The purpose of the risk assessment contained in this Plan is solely to provide a community- and landscape-level overview of general wildfire risks within the assessment area as of the date hereof, and to provide a potential resource for community pre-fire planning. This risk assessment is premised on various assumptions and models, which include and are based on data, software tools, and other information provided by third parties (collectively, “Third-Party Information and Tools”). SWCA, Incorporated, doing business as SWCA Environmental Consultants (“SWCA”), relied upon various Third-Party Information and Tools in the preparation of this risk assessment, and SWCA shall have no liability to any party in connection with this risk assessment including, without limitation, as a result of incomplete or inaccurate Third-Party Information and Tools used in the preparation hereof. SWCA hereby expressly disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of the Third-Party Information and Tools relied upon by SWCA in preparing this risk assessment. SWCA shall have no liability for any damage, loss (including loss of life), injury, property damage, or other damages whatsoever arising from or in connection with this risk assessment. Any reproduction or dissemination of this risk assessment or any portion hereof shall include the entirety of this plan disclaimer. 

Acknowledgements

We would like to formally thank the Core Team and all stakeholders for contributing their time and expertise throughout the planning process. Your participation has contributed to creating resilient landscapes, implementing public education, reducing structural ignitability, and ensuring safe and effective wildfire response. 

Map Accessibility Statement

We are making every effort to ensure that the information available on Boulder County CWPP Update Story Map is accessible to all. Our goal is to deliver a web experience that achieves “Level A” and “Level AA” conformance according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines v2.2 (WCAG 2.2). 

We welcome comments on how to improve this story map’s accessibility for users with disabilities and requests for accommodations. 

If you need assistance or require an accommodation, please contact Boulder County’s ADA Coordinator at 303-441-1386 or  ADA@bouldercounty.gov