Key points:
- Why there are more Red Flag days this spring and summer.
- How to take a proactive approach to reducing your fire risk.
- Who to call for trained and certified firewatchers in Denver and The Springs.
Even if your business doesn’t have landscaping or much in terms of hazardous materials, you must include fire safety in your spring and summer checklists. Colorado’s wildfire season typically runs from May through December, but due to low humidity and a dry winter, the wildfire season of 2026 began early. Here’s how Denver businesses and multi-tenant residential property owners can take a proactive approach to summer fire hazards, even if located outside of the Wildland-Urban Area (WUA).
Is Downtown Denver at Risk for Wildfires?
Yes. When winds are high, embers can travel 5 miles or more. That’s in addition to the fact that 18% of the city is in designated Wildland-Urban Areas. If you aren’t sure where to begin, reach out to a third-party partner to complete a risk assessment. This alerts you to your top fire risks and resolutions. It also ensures compliance with the new range of obligations per the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC). We must work together to keep each other safe.
1. Implement Defensible Space Zones for New Construction by April 1st
The new CWRC mandate applies to new construction and remodeling expansions over 500 square feet, including commercial and residential properties. It also applies if you replace more than 25% of your roofing or siding. It entails creating layered zones in your landscaping and exterior layout to reduce the risk of ignition and spread.
The Denver Fire Department cites wood mulch as a top urban fire risk. Airborne embers from wildfire ignite the mulch and vegetation, igniting the building. As such, you must create a non-mulch and non-grass perimeter of at least 5 feet. This is the first layer of 3 when creating a defensible space zone for WUAs. Your insurance company or county may have other requirements.
2. Spring Rooftop and Gutter Inspection
High winds can carry embers down the I-25 corridor into the city. This sparks rooftop fires by igniting non-combustible roofing materials or organic debris on roofs and in gutters. It can also introduce embers into the building through the HVAC system.
Clean leaves and organic debris from the roof and gutters at least twice a year, and install ember screens over HVAC intake vents and attic openings.
3. Comply With Red Flag Hot Work and Fire Watch Protocols
Due to high winds, low humidity, and drought, Red Flag days are currently a weekly occurrence. You can check the status each day at the Wildfire Risk Viewer. On Red Flag days, cancel exterior hot work. If your project sparks ignition, the Fire Marshal will find you liable. And no, your insurance won’t cover the damages, as most policies have a Red Flag Exemption clause.
Reschedule non-emergent hot work and complete hot work-free temporary fixes on emergent maintenance and repair. If you absolutely must conduct exterior hot work, create a fully enclosed shield with non-combustible screens or fire blankets. But if fire sparks or spreads, you will be liable.
4. Relocate External Ignition Sources
One of the reasons to have a third-party risk assessment conducted is to advise on how to relocate external ignition sources. Exterior space is tight in the downtown area, but you must understand your buffer zone compliance requirements. This often requires you to create a 30-foot perimeter from the items below, all of which are top spring and summer fire hazards.
Year-round exterior fire hazards include:
- Employee parking
- Fleet parking
- Grass and vegetation
- Propane or LPG tanks
- Trash and recycling
- Wooden fences
- Wooden pallets
Read More:
- Understanding Colorado’s New Defensible Space Zones
- 5 Ways a Certified Fire Watcher Saves You Money
- Securing Fire Protection Services During Hot Work
- Office Conversion Fire Safety System Upgrades and Fire Watch Protocols
- Fire Watch Protocol Updates in Denver What Smoke Control Rational Analysis Means for Denver Builders
5. EV Charging and Electrical Inspections
Stay up to date with your in-house and third-party electrical and EV charging station maintenance and inspections. Your tenants use their air conditioner more in the summer, which increases your electrical load. Record heatwave is forecasted for the summer, so be as proactive as possible.
Spring and Summer Fire Watch in Denver and The Springs
If your EV system requires repair, you’ve scheduled hot work, your fire alarm or suppression system is down, or you need trained and certified fire watchers for any reason—book Scout Security.
We’re available for prescheduled and 24/7 emergency response.
