Understanding Wildfires & Defensible Space | SERVPRO® of Pueblo

7/26/2021 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged by fire or any other reason, SERVPRO of Pueblo is ready and able to repair any damage.

Did you know that wildfires are a more common cause of property damage than you are led to believe? Wildfires can spread at incredible rates, and it’s in part because of the combustible materials our world is made up of.

There are many steps you can take to help protect your property from wildfire, and one key step is as simple as being more careful. But defensible space is also a good strategy.

Let’s Talk About Defensible Space

If you’re like most, you can’t help but wonder what “defensible space” is. Well, it’s a buffer area you can create around your home by removing potential wildfire fuel, including things like dead trees and leaves. You can also add a layer of protection with things like flame-resistant gravel landscape close to your home.

Defensible space is essentially an invisible barrier of protection, designed to protect your home from wildfires, either by slowing or stopping the spread of fire as it draws nearer. This defensible space also gives firefighters their best chance of stopping a wildfire before it reaches your home.

Defensible space is so important that some states require you have it. Our state doesn’t require it, but it’s still a good idea to practice.

Wildfires Are on the Rise

When thinking of wildfires, we often see California as the main culprit, but wildfires can happen anywhere. There were over 59,000 wildfires across the United States in 2020.

Even if you take California out of the mix, the average number of wildfires per state in 2020 was right under 1,000. Here in Colorado, we had 1,080 wildfires last year, burning 625,357 acres of land.

In Pueblo, we see our fair share of wildfires, so it’s essential that we do everything we can to help prevent them. Defensible space is one way that we can do our part.

If your home is damaged by fire of any sort, wild or not, SERVPRO is ready and able to repair the damage caused. Get in touch today to get the pros on your team.