Wold Improvement & Service District
Firewise Update ~ July 2025
Wold Firewise Committee Members: Mike & Allison Bruce, Glen Connor, Lee Erickson, Cody Pullins, Kent & Julie Kokes, Terry Walling,
Report 2025 Firewise Hours & Expenses to any committee member or Julie Kokes:
For us to maintain our Firewise Community status, it is required that we report the hours worked on your property. You can report them each time you work or at the end of the calendar year. Please take the time to read the examples below. You might learn something new about what counts!
· Text or call Julie: 970-580-8108
· Email Julie: kjkokes@gmail.com
· Complete a Reporting Form (available on the website) and leave at 11 Valley Road (between screen door/door)
Do you know what counts as fire mitigation? Do you know that money spent can also count?
What can you report? Time & Expense Investment Examples
Our community rocks! We have already pushed the slash pile up twice this year! That means a lot of work by our owners doing fire mitigation around their cabins and property! Please continue to keep track of the hours you have worked and report them to a committee member or Julie Kokes.
Year 1 Fire Mitigation Goals:
IMMEDIATE ZONE: 0-5 Feet from furthest attached point of homes. This area addresses the immediate vegetation and materials, creating a combustible-FREE area.
1. Encourage owners to remove all dead vegetation, trees, dried leaves, pine needles, & ground debris from the Immediate Zone. (Next step is to do the same thing from all structures.)
2. Encourage owners to remove ladder fuels (trimmed 6-10 ft. from ground) and all juniper removed from Immediate Zone.
3. Encourage owners to remove dead trees/shrubs from the Immediate Zone.
INTERMEDIATE ZONE: 5-30 Feet from the furthest attached point. This area uses landscaping and breaks of non-combustible materials (dirt, rock, cement) to decrease fire behavior
4. Encourage owners to begin working to reduce fire risk in the Intermediate Zone by removing dead vegetation, pine needles, and branches.
These things also count as fire mitigation! Keep working to reduce fire risks!
· Delimbing and removal of lower tree branches
· Relocation of firewood piles to at least 30 feet from the home and other structures
· Mowing trimming native grasses, plants, and weeds as needed from Immediate Zone
· Raking and removal of pine needles, leaves, and ground debris from both Immediate & Intermediate Zones
· Removal all flammable materials from under decks and porches
· Add noncombustible skirting around deck, porches, and stairs
· Removal of debris between deck board gaps/joints
· Removal of debris on the roof and in the gutters as needed
· Remove overhanging branches above cabin and buildings
· Replacement of missing deck boards to reduce ember entry to area under decks
· Installation of weatherstripping along the perimeter of garage doors and windows to help keep embers out
· Use of a sealant (such as caulking) to cover gaps in open-eave area
Upgrades to cabin & property that count!
· Add hardscape material around the perimeter of cabin, property, or driveway (cement, crushed granite, road base, pavers, etc.)
· Add hardscape material under deck
· Add hardscape material under propane tank, grills, etc.
· Creation of small fuel breaks by adding hardscaping (e.g., driveways, walkways/paths, patios, stone walls, etc.)
· Replace old windows with updated, double-pane windows
· Adding a metal roof, replacing missing shingles, or updating roof with new shingles
· Replace wood retaining steps and walls with stone or concrete
Your investment in your property also counts! (All information will be kept confidential. Only total dollars invested for our community are reported.)
· Power equipment rental/purchases, fuel, oil, and repair costs to cabins, buildings, and decks that reduce fire risks
· Contractor/labor expenses to perform risk reduction work (e.g., arborists, landscapers, professional forester services, roofers, etc.)
· Costs of hardscape materials (crushed rock, pavers, road base, cement) including installation by you or contractor, delivery, fuel costs, etc.
· Costs related to property clean up including hauling junk to landfills, workers, and tools used for cleaning up
· Costs related to hauling debris, trees, stumps, etc. to slash pile (out past Valley Road)
