A new study shows that half of all addresses in the lower 48 states face wildfire risk. In some less-populated states, including Wyoming and Montana, more than 90% of properties are at-risk. “Frightening assessment,” said CAR’s Colorado Project Wildfire Chair Ulrich Salzgeber. A prediction model put together by the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research and technology group, shows that...
For homeowners affected by the Marshall fire, the time between the disaster and receiving much-needed federal and insurance dollars is uncertain. “it’s the hardest, darkest period that these victims have to walk through,” said CAR Foundation Executive Director Amy McDermott. “Our hope is that this funding can bridge that gap.” The Foundation has received over $2 million to give to homeowners during this time, and...
Recent home listings in the Marshall Fire Burn areas are still selling over the asking price in a short time. There were 17 homes under contract that sold within two days of being on the market. The language in the listings reads differently than it did two months ago. “Instead of the remarks saying, ‘Great house, open space, and views,...
As we all learned last week: “Unfortunately, wildfire doesn’t happen in ‘just the mountains,’” says Sarah Thorsteinson, Executive Director of Summit REALTORS® and Vice-Chair of CAR’s Colorado Project Wildfire (CPW). “No trees are needed. Embers fly in the wind, and every bit of land between Wyoming and New Mexico is part of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), which is...
We are all horrified to watch the catastrophic wildfire destruction that is taking place across Boulder County and the surrounding communities. It’s no surprise that we’ve already heard from so many of our members asking how they can help. In these earliest hours/days of this tragedy, we’re working to gather information, talk with local association leaders, community partners and emergency management officials to define the...
The saga to build much-needed housing inventory in our mountain communities continues with some new challenges. According to a report from Community Wildfire Planning Center, the number of units built in the wildland-urban interface in Colorado increased 74% since 2010. This also includes an acreage increase of 300% from 2010-2030. Some mountain towns that are unable to sustain these increases are turning down development due...
Homeowners in Summit County can apply for money relating to wildfire mitigation expenses on their property. Summit REALTORS® and the Colorado Association of REALTORS® are offering to help homeowners cover the costs of tree and shrub removal in order to meet defensible space guidelines as defined by local fire districts. Grantees could have the work done this fall or wait until spring. The grant program’s goals...
US consumers said they were least prepared for wildfires and earthquakes in comparison to all types of natural disasters, and those who were involved in natural disasters feel like they could have been more prepared. The survey was commissioned by the consumer market research group Qualtrics and Value Penguin. The survey also details information regarding preparedness for emergency evacuations and the financial impacts of disasters....
The Colorado State Forest Service announced today it is accepting grant proposals for the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) Grant Program from HOAs, community groups, local governments, fire protection districts, utilities and nonprofit organizations seeking funding to address forest issues and reduce wildfire risk and destruction to lives, property, and water. Due to the recent passage and signing...
The REALTORS® of Summit, Park and Lake Counties recently raised money to support residents who have been evacuated or have lost their homes during the Grand County wildfires Dillon, CO — February 16, 2021 — Summit REALTORS®, the leading advocate of the local real estate industry consisting of Park, Lake, and Summit County members, executed a donation campaign to raise money for those...