August 17, 2015

Boulder County Land Use Contacts:

Jim Webster, 720-564-2600, jbwebster@nullbouldercounty.org
Richard M. Hackett, 720-564-2605, rhackett@nullbouldercounty.org

Wildfire Partners receives $1 million grant

FEMA approves three wildfire grants for Boulder County

Boulder County, Colo. – Wildfire Partners – a voluntary program for Boulder County homeowners who want to prepare for wildfire – has been awarded $1.125 million by FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Launched in 2014, Wildfire Partners provides technical and financial assistance to homeowners and increases the insurability of participating homes.

Boulder County’s Parks and Open Space program also received HMGP grant funding that will support increasing defensible space around historic structures on various Parks and Open Space properties and a fuels reduction project on Betasso Open Space.

FEMA funding will support Wildfire Partners for 2016 and 2017. The program is currently funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. With more than 35 partner organizations and over 600 participants, the program has proven valuable in helping foothills residents obtain insurance and create more resilient communities. Ninety-one percent of participants said they were likely or very likely to refer the program to a friend or neighbor.

Wildfire Partners is serving as a model for communities around the state and country, and recently received the National Association of Counties 2015 Best in Category Achievement Award.

Wildfire Partners offers homeowners:

• An individual, on-site, wildfire home assessment with a Wildfire Mitigation Specialist and a customized report that identifies the weak links in a home’s defenses.
• Financial awards from $500 to $2,000 for forestry contract work.
• Access to Wildfire Phone Advisors to answer questions and support on-site mitigation efforts.
• Lists of Forestry and Home Retrofit Contractors to help complete mitigation work.
• A follow-up inspection that takes place after recommended mitigation measures are completed.
• A Wildfire Partners Certificate and Yard Sign recognizing homeowners who have performed mitigation. Wildfire Partners is working with insurance agencies such as Allstate and State Farm who recognize the certification and support the program.

Wildfire Partners is currently accepting applications. Boulder County homeowners interested in Wildfire Partners must apply and be accepted into the program. For more information or to apply, visit www.WildfirePartners.org or contact a Wildfire Advisor at 303-446-7877.

Boulder County Commissioners Elise Jones, left, and Cindy Domenico, right, with Wildfire Partners participant homeowner Jill Lopez and Wildfire Partners Program Coordinator Jim Webster.

–BoulderCounty.org–