Firewise USA®
in Leyden
Neighbors working together to reduce wildfire risk
The Firewise USA program is a nationally recognized initiative led by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that helps communities prepare for wildfire through education, planning, and action.
Across the United States, there are nearly 2,800 Firewise sites, with over 180 recognized communities in Colorado. These neighborhoods share a commitment to reducing wildfire risk and strengthening local resilience.
LeydenReady is proud to support Firewise efforts as part of our mission to protect homes, open space, and the people who live here.
Why Firewise Matters in Leyden
Leyden sits at the edge of open space and grassland, where wildfire risk is real and increasing. Firewise provides a proven, practical framework that helps our community:
Understand local wildfire risks
Take preventive action before fire season
Improve neighborhood coordination and communication
Reduce the chance that a wildfire becomes a structure fire
Firewise isn’t about fear — it’s about preparation, shared responsibility, and neighbors helping neighbors.
Firewise accreditation Is Easier Than You Think
Firewise recognition is designed to be accessible and community-led. Any neighborhood or group of residents can participate.
The basic steps include:
Forming a small Firewise leadership team
Completing a wildfire risk assessment
Creating a simple action plan
Hosting one educational activity per year
Tracking volunteer time or project investment
LeydenReady helps guide this process so residents can focus on action, not paperwork.
What Is Home Hardening?
Home hardening means making targeted improvements that reduce the chance your home ignites during a wildfire. Most homes lost to wildfire ignite from embers, not flames.
Common home-hardening actions include:
Maintaining fire-resistant roofs and siding
Clearing flammable materials within the first 5–30 feet of the home
Installing ember-resistant vents
Using non-combustible materials for decks, fencing, and landscaping near structures
These changes significantly reduce fire risk and often improve insurance eligibility and peace of mind.
Working Hand-in-Hand With Our Open Space Team
Wildfire safety doesn’t stop at property lines. Firewise complements the work of the LeydenReady Open Space Team by aligning:
Neighborhood defensible-space efforts
Vegetation management near trails and fence lines
Education around grasses, weeds, and fuel loads
Community-wide wildfire mitigation priorities
Together, residents and open-space volunteers create a safer buffer between homes and wildfire risk.
Join the LeydenReady Firewise Team
Firewise works best when neighbors get involved.
Whether you want to:
Help your street or block become Firewise recognized
Learn how to harden your home
Support education or mitigation projects
Volunteer with open space or neighborhood efforts
We’d love to have you.
👉 Join the LeydenReady Firewise Team
Together, we can make Leyden safer, stronger, and more prepared.