The Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council is offering homeowners incentives and resources to identify property vulnerabilities ahead of wildfire season to prevent disasters.

Through rebates, one-on-one inspections and other programs, the Routt County Mitigation Council is working to make the entire county more wildfire resilient by encouraging homeowners to take action.

With drought conditions worsening and a lack of moisture in vegetation, Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council Executive Director Josh Hankes wants community members to take full advantage of the programs offered.

This year, the wildfire mitigation council is sending experts to inspect homes and give actionable advice to address fire risks and vulnerabilities, said Hankes.

Once the inspection takes place, a full report will be given to the homeowner or renter through a wildfire mitigation app specific to Routt County.

“If they want to tackle one of the vulnerabilities identified, they can make those changes through our rebate program or on their own,” said Hankes. “Once they report that they have completed that task, they can upload a picture to the platform.”

After photos of the completed project are uploaded to the app, Hankes or a firefighter from a Routt County protection district will re-inspect the home.

“It’s very interactive and engaging with homeowners,” said Hankes. “It’s a big difference from the way things used to be done.”

The new program is open to residents for sign-up, but property inspections won’t begin until mid-June, added Hankes.

After identifying a property’s vulnerabilities and potential fire risks, homeowners and renters can apply for the wildfire mitigation council’s rebate program, which offers a financial incentive for completing tasks that improve fire resiliency.

The rebate program focuses on three main projects that have “high impact,” said Hankes. These projects include replacing combustible fences, replacing vents and removing combustible vegetation from the home ignition zone.

“By disrupting the path that a fire can take in the connectivity between fences and shrubs, fire will run out of fuel before it gets to the home,” Hankes said.

Hankes added that homes and roof structures need plenty of ventilation to breathe.

“If you think about what’s up in a typical attic, it’s boxes and newspapers and old clothing,” continued Hankes. “It wouldn’t take a great deal of heat and energy to turn into a fire.”

To help reduce the fire risk, Hankes encourages residents to replace vents with non-combustible screens, which are available in the Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council office.

Residents can be reimbursed up to $300 through the rebate program after they prove the project has been completed through a follow-up inspection or photos.

The wildfire mitigation council is also helping residents update address signs to help first responders find properties in emergency situations, said Hankes. Compliant, reflective, non-combustible address signs are available for purchase through the wildfire mitigation council’s website.

For wildfire mitigation resources, visit RouttWildfire.org.