Top 7 Signs Your Property Needs Wildfire Mitigation Now

How to know when it's time to act — based on the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) system.

Colorado’s Western Slope continues to face longer fire seasons, heavier fuel buildup, and stricter insurance rules. Many homeowners don’t realize their property is overdue for wildfire mitigation until an insurance inspection, a nearby wind-driven fire, or a non-renewal notice forces them into action.

This guide breaks down the seven biggest warning signs your property needs mitigation — all based on the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) model.

First: The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)

Before diving into the warning signs, here’s the quick breakdown every homeowner should know:

ZONE 0 — 0 to 5 Feet (Immediate Zone)

This is the most critical zone. Embers destroy more homes than flames — and almost ALL ember ignitions start within this zone.

This zone must be “non-combustible,” meaning:

✔ No shrubs

✔ No bark mulch

✔ No firewood

✔ No stored items

✔ No flammable plants touching the home

✔ Clean roof & gutters

This is the zone that directly determines whether your house ignites.

ZONE 1 — 5 to 30 Feet (Intermediate Zone)

This zone slows or stops fire spread.

✔ Thin trees & shrubs

✔ Space vegetation apart

✔ Remove ladder fuels

✔ Trim branches up 6–10 ft

✔ Keep grasses trimmed low

✔ Reduce continuity between plants

ZONE 2 — 30 to 100 Feet (Extended Zone)

This zone reduces fire intensity before it reaches the home.

✔ Create tree spacing

✔ Remove dead/down fuels

✔ Widen driveways and access

✔ Reduce dense oak brush, serviceberry, sage, juniper

Now that the zones are clear, here are the 7 warning signs that your property needs mitigation now — not later.

1. The 0–5 Foot Zone Is Overgrown or Combustible

If shrubs, wood mulch, tall grass, or anything flammable is touching the foundation, siding, or deck, your HIZ is compromised.

Look for:

• Plants touching the home

• Wood stacks near the house

• Bark mulch beds

• Uncleaned needles in gutters

• Debris against the structure

Fix: Convert to a non-combustible zone using gravel, stone, or bare soil. Remove all vegetation touching the home.

2. Overgrown Brush Within 5–30 Feet (Zone 1)

Oak brush, serviceberry, juniper, young conifers, or sage growing thick near the structure increases radiant heat and flame contact risk.

Watch for:

• Continuous shrubs

• No spacing between vegetation

• Dead litter under plants

• Shrubs under tree canopies

Fix: Thin vegetation, prune up trees, remove ladder fuels, and break up fuel continuity.

3. Trees Touching the Home or Roof

This is one of the biggest insurance red flags.

Watch for:

• Branches hanging over the roof

• Trees touching the siding

• Needles collecting on shingles or gutters

Fix: Remove overhangs, prune up branches, and clean gutters.

4. Thick Vegetation in Zone 2 (30–100 Feet)

This zone reduces fire intensity.

Warning signs include:

• Oakbrush thickets you can't walk through

• Dense juniper or sage stands

• Serviceberry walls

• Tree canopies touching

• “You can’t see through it” density

Fix: Thin trees, create spacing, and mulch overgrown brush.

5. Debris Piles, Slash, and Dead Fuels

Dead fuels ignite faster than live fuels — and produce more embers.

If you see:

• Piled branches

• Old slash from past clearing

• Dried weeds

• Dead shrubs or stumps

Fix: Remove or mulch debris to reduce ignition risk.

6. Driveway Access Is Tight, Overgrown, or Hazardous

Fire engines need:

• 12 ft width

• 13'6" height clearance

• Turnaround space

If your driveway is lined with high brush or tight trees, firefighters may not be able to access your property.

Fix: Widen and clear driveways, remove encroaching vegetation.

7. You Haven’t Had HIZ Mitigation in 3+ Years

Western Slope vegetation — especially oak brush, juniper, serviceberry, and bitterbrush — grows FAST.

If it has been more than:

• 1 year → Zone 0 needs maintenance

• 2–3 years → Zones 1 and 2 need full evaluation

Fix: Schedule a Home Ignition Zone assessment to update your defensible space.

How Parker Specialized LLC Helps You Restore Your HIZ

We specialize in heavy Western Slope vegetation clearing and full-zone mitigation:

✔ Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) assessments

✔ 0–5 ft structural clearance

✔ Mulching oak brush, serviceberry, sage & juniper

✔ Driveway clearing and access widening

✔ Emergency insurance compliance work

✔ Full defensible space creation (0–100 ft+)

✔ Brush cutting · Mulching · Rock grapple work

✔ Road/egress restoration

Ready to Reduce Your Fire Risk?

Call or Text Parker Specialized LLC

970-987-6027 • 970-856-4484

Serving Delta County & Colorado’s Western Slope