How a dedicated group of Colorado homeowners worked together to build community resilience

A group of Colorado residents is enjoying some extra peace of mind after spending a weekend working together to protect their homes from wildfires. In North Florissant County, Colorado, wildfires are a hot topic of concern for residents, with the number of wildfires steadily increasing year over year. This concern prompted the formation of the NoFloCo Fire Mitigation Posse, a Firewise-recognized community committed to creating a neighborhood that can withstand the threat and destruction of wildfires.

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With the help of the NFPA and their Firewise Community program, the NoFloCo team set out to get organized and make a plan for protecting their neighborhood. They learned about Wildfire Defense Mesh and were impressed by the breadth of the program and its three core pillars of Education, Community Engagement, and Affordable Access. What makes the program so effective is that it isn’t just about the mesh itself, but about educating residents about crucial home hardening steps, mobilizing neighbors to work together as a whole, and keeping costs low by sharing resources. See the short video and details below:

Education

Onsite with wildfire education leaders
Virtual through comprehensive online video tutorials
Educating local workforce

Community Engagement

The WDM community program complements current initiatives for creating 0-5 Ember Resistant Zones, Chipper Days and Defensible Space programs
Building excitement and buy-in about expanding a community's offering to screening in the HIZ
Encourage local businesses to take action and help

Affordable Access

Community purchasing with per-home schematics on vent sizing
Community discounts help homes get mesh coverage from $100 - $400 per home
Significant risk reduction for a small investment

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We teamed up with the leaders of the NoFloCo team in early June, and by the 4th of July, the project was mostly complete! Over 30 houses were included in a two-day event that left the majority of this neighborhood safer from wildfires. Also, the cost per house was affordable and achievable for all. Here’s the breakdown:

32 out of 47 homes in the area participated (68%)
They used a local fire mitigation expert for onsite education and demo
WDM’s online platform generated custom schematics for each home
The neighborhood hosted a Community Mesh Weekend to help each other cut, distribute and install the mesh, with an installation contractor available to assist as needed

Total Investment: $13,057 (incl. freight)

Total homes that retrofitted vent screens: 30
Avg. cost per home for vent retrofits: $208
Avg. cost to retrofit an 8” x 16” vent: $5.50
Total homes that screened decks: 17 (19 decks in total*)
Avg. cost per deck: $358
Avg. cost per home: $400

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Helping hands (don't forget the gloves!)

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Using a metal shearing attachment made the cutting process even easier and quicker!

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Mesh installed on deck stairs and a foundation vent. *Notice the mesh is attached behind the metal cover, and the rocks under the stairs to safely catch the embers that don't get through the mesh.*

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It wasn't *ALL* work...there was time to catch up with friends and neighbors, too.

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Visit our Community Page to learn more about getting your neighborhood involved and protected from the threat of wildfires this season. While you’re there you can sign up for your own community project!

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