Wildfire conference to benefit public

Evolving insurance policies are a topic to be addressed

By Pete Fowler
May 9, 2008

Print Email

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado - Deputy Fire Marshal Ron Biggers encourages people to learn more about how to survive and better protect their homes and even their pocketbooks against the greatest natural disaster on the Western Slope.

"One of the biggest natural disasters we have is wildfire," Biggers said. "Usually we can count on one or two each year that are going to threaten homes."

Most people don't live their lives preoccupied with thoughts of fires. But already this year in April, the County Road 100 fire near Carbondale threatened 300 homes, forced over 150 people to evacuate and burned about 1,000 acres. And two firefighters and a pilot died in the Ordway and Fort Carson fires, also in April.

Biggers wants people to be as prepared as possible.

With the help of other agencies, the Glenwood Springs Fire Department will hold a Community Wildfire Firewise Conference on May 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Center. Presenters will discuss how grant money can be obtained for mitigation projects. Insurance representatives will talk about how they are now evaluating homes before insuring them or renewing policies. Other topics include: Defensible space, fire behavior, firewise home construction, federal mitigation projects near Glenwood Springs, and an update on wildfire bills in the state Legislature.

Biggers said insurance companies began changing how they look at homes starting about four to six years ago. A growing number of larger and more expensive homes are being built now in the "wildfire interface zones" between communities and open spaces where wildfires burn.

"The interface zone is about the only places that are left to build," he said. "Most of the valley floors are gone where you had pastures and low fire danger."

The changes have had an impact on insurance companies.

"At least two insurance agency representatives will speak a little bit about how the insurance industry is starting to look now at the wildfire interface," Biggers said.

Insurers will visit the home of an existing policy holder in an interface zone to evaluate the house. If the homeowner doesn't make changes recommended by the insurer within a year or two, they can even be dropped from a policy, Biggers said.

Contact Pete Fowler: 384-9121pfowler@postindependent.com



Community Wildfire Firewise Conference

What: A series of discussions about various topics to show homeowners how to better protect their homes from wildfires and learn about how insurance companies look at them.

When: May 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: The Glenwood Springs Community Center



Post Independent, Glenwood Springs Colorado CO