No Flo Co Fire Mitigation Posse

04/15/2026

A message out of Black Forest that applies to all of Teller County. NoFloCo took down and processed 118 infested green pondero sa's in the past two weeks. Action today save forests tomorrow.

04/12/2026

I often hear people say the answer to structure ignition—and keeping fire insurance—is a metal roof and stucco siding.

I understand why. Both are good materials, and they absolutely have value. But they are not a guarantee.

What many people don’t realize is that homes are rarely lost in a wildfire because of direct flame contact. The real driver is embers (firebrands), lofted by wind and raining down on homes for 40 minutes to 2+ hours before the flame front even arrives.

Even a home with a metal roof and stucco siding can be destroyed if those embers find vulnerabilities:
• Entering attic vents (where many of us store paper boxes and other flammable materials)
• Collecting in gutters and igniting underlying materials
• Accumulating at the foundation and igniting sheathing behind stucco
• Getting under decks or into small gaps and seams

Another critical issue is breaches in the structure itself. Broken windows, non-tempered glass, pet doors, or even garage doors that flex under heat and wind can create openings that allow embers to enter the home. Once inside, ignition can occur in curtains, furniture, or stored materials—causing the structure to burn from the inside out, often before exterior materials ever fail.

All modern building materials—when properly installed—are fire-rated. Class A asphalt shingles perform well. Engineered siding products can too. The issue isn’t just the materials, it is the system and the details.

Homes should have:
• Metal flashing at transitions and edges
• Ember-resistant (fire-rated) vent screens
• Enclosed eaves and sealed gaps
• Clean, noncombustible zones around the foundation

Our inspections consistently show that these critical details are often missing.

Wildfire resilience isn’t about one fireproof material, it’s about eliminating ignition points and managing how embers interact with your home.

That’s where the real difference is made.

04/11/2026

According to NFPA/IBHS wildfire research, embers are responsible for up to 90% of home losses in wildland fires. These embers travel ahead of the flame front and ignite vulnerable materials in and around your home.
Common ignition points include: • Leaves and pine needles in gutters
• Potting soil (often ~50% ground wood)
• Polyurethane patio cushions
• Wicker furniture
• Jute or natural fiber doormats
The most effective defense is managing the Immediate Zone (0–5 feet from your home).
By clearing flammable materials from in, under, and around decks, and maintaining a clean, non combustible area within at least 5–10 feet of your structure, you significantly improve your home’s chances of surviving a wildfire.

An hour or two (or more!) of work in this “zero zone” is an investment that can make a critical difference.

How to get started fire mitigating class Sun., Apr. 19, Florissant Public Library, 2 pm
Save your trees from MPB class, Sat., Apr. 25, 10 am, Woodland Park Library
Home Hardening Class, Sat., May 9, 2 pm, Woodland Park Library

All classes are no charge, but we do collect a few dollars to thank the libraries for use of the rooms.

NoFloCo Fire Mitigation Posse is the 2025 National Fire Mitigation Award recipient. This is the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation. Established in 2014, the Wildfire Mitigation Awards are jointly

04/10/2026

Don and I were honored to be invited to discuss forest health, fire mitigation, and home hardening with a local home school network group on Thursday, April 9. We met and interacted with a dozen young adults at Straight Arrow Academy in their activity center in Woodland Park. The students were engaged, curious and delightful to interact with. We look forward to teaming up again in the future.

www.nofloco.org

04/06/2026

Local governments are inching closer to enforcing wildfire-ready building codes that aim to save lives and stave off catastrophic property destruction during fires.

As of Wednesday, cities, counties and fire protection districts in high-risk wildfire areas were instructed to adopt new codes published by Colorado’s Wildfire Resiliency Code Board last year. They’ll then have until July 1, 2026, to fully implement the codes for new construction or significant renovations.

Protecting homes from wildfires, known as “home hardening,” is an effective way to significantly cut fire risk and protect neighborhoods. Hardening often involves creating a fire-proof buffer zone around homes, and using ignition-resistant material on a home’s exterior.

New wildfire codes went into effect Wednesday, though local governments have until July 1 to implement them.

04/05/2026

We have reached out to a dozen of our state's researchers on mountain pine beetle, letting them know we have a cadre of citizen scientist, fire mitigation enthusiasts, and high energy, precise volunteers who would be available to assist with research studies, data collection, investigations, etc.

In my past, I have raised to***co moths and mosquitoes for research projects. I will keep you posted something pops. :)

04/05/2026