Wildfire season in Colorado used to be just that – a season. Now, it’s a year-round reality, and homeowners can’t afford to let their guard down.
In Evergreen, the risk is especially high. In fact, this area faces a 98% higher wildfire risk than most counties across the U.S. That’s a staggering statistic that reflects how dramatically conditions have deteriorated in the Colorado foothills. If you live here, understanding why the wildfire risk keeps climbing isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary.
Key Takeaways
- Evergreen faces the highest wildfire risk in Colorado, driven by dense forests, beetle-kill trees, and expanding development in fire-prone areas.
- Climate change is creating longer, more intense fire seasons with drier conditions and reduced snowpack.
- The Fire Intensity Scale shows much of Evergreen is at Class 3 or 4, where wildfires can produce flames up to 30 feet and overwhelm traditional firefighting efforts.
- Jefferson County is investing nearly $7 million in wildfire prevention, response, and homeowner support through new programs and resources.
The 4 Factors Driving Evergreen’s Escalating Fire Risk
Colorado’s wildfire reality has changed dramatically in just a few decades. According to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, 20 of the state’s largest wildfires have happened in the last 25 years – 4 of the top 5 occurred in just the past 7 years.
That shift isn’t random. It’s the result of multiple overlapping factors that are making conditions in the Evergreen area more dangerous every year.
1. Climate Change
What used to be a few months of elevated concern has turned into a year-round threat. In areas like Evergreen, the number of red flag warnings has climbed, and so has the intensity of those warnings. We’re talking longer stretches of dry, windy weather that dry out vegetation and push fire danger into the extreme category more often.
At the same time, snowpack levels are declining. Warmer winters and earlier snowmelt mean the ground dries out faster, and trees don’t get the steady moisture they used to rely on heading into summer. The trees quickly become more stressed, and when trees are stressed, they’re more flammable.
Over time, it all adds up – less moisture in the soil, weaker trees, and a forest floor covered in dry needles and dead brush. In those conditions, a single spark can turn into a fast-moving wildfire before anyone has a chance to react.
2. Beetles Kill Trees
Mountain pine beetles are taking a heavy toll on Colorado’s forests, especially in areas already hit hard by drought. Warmer winters are no longer killing off these pests, so infestations are getting worse year over year.
As more trees die, they become highly flammable fuel. Dead standing timber, dry limbs, and pine needles create the perfect environment for fast-spreading fires. In heavily infested areas, fires burn hotter, move faster, and are much harder to contain.
3. New Development in High-Risk Areas
More people are building homes in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) – the transition zone between forested land and human development. Evergreen is a prime example. As construction expands into these areas, the wildfire risk increases. Not just because of proximity to flammable terrain, but because more people mean more ignition sources.
To make matters worse, aging infrastructure, like power lines and transformers, isn’t built to handle today’s conditions. In steep, forested areas, it’s hard to access, upgrade, or repair. Just look at the Marshall Fire in 2021, believed to have started from a downed power line and was responsible for claiming over 1,000 homes.
In a region like Evergreen, it doesn’t take much to trigger a catastrophe.
4. A Century of Fire Suppression
Before 1910, low-severity forest fires occurred frequently and played a key role in keeping forests more open. With fewer trees and less competition for resources, trees such as ponderosa pine survived for centuries, withstanding drought, fire, insects, and more.
In 1910, fire suppression became mandated under federal policy. That, combined with grazing, logging, and land-use changes, completely changed the make-up of our dry mountain forests. Shade-tolerant (understory) and fire-intolerant tree species have moved in, creating crowded conditions where trees compete for limited resources. As a result, there’s less water reaching deep into the soil and trees are showing signs of drought stress and becoming more susceptible to bark beetle outbreaks.
The younger, drought-sensitive trees that have grown since fire suppression started are more likely to die, creating fuel for wildfires. Older trees are weaker and more vulnerable to fire damage.
All of these factors combine to create a continuously escalating risk of severe wildfires in the dry mountain forests around Evergreen and throughout Colorado.
Evergreen is in a high-risk wildfire zone, with much of the area rated Class 3 or 4 on the Fire Intensity Scale. Fires at this level can create flames up to 30 feet long and are very hard to contain.
How Serious Is the Wildfire Risk Around Evergreen?
State and local agencies – including Evergreen Fire Rescue – are now holding wildfire safety fairs and preparedness events throughout the year to help residents stay ready with evacuation planning, defensible space requirements, and home hardening strategies. The shift to continuous wildfire education reflects just how critical the situation has become.
According to the Colorado State Forest Service Wildfire Risk Viewer, much of the Evergreen area falls within Class 3 (Moderate) to Class 4 (High) on the Fire Intensity Scale (FIS) – a standardized system used to gauge how severe a wildfire could become (similar to how the Richter scale measures earthquakes).
Areas ranked as a Class 3 can produce flames up to 8 feet long, with short-range spotting (where embers travel and ignite new fires nearby). Fires at this level are difficult for firefighters to control without backup from engines or aircraft, although dozers and plows can still be effective.
In Class 4 areas, the danger increases dramatically, as fires can generate flames up to 30 feet long! These conditions generally overwhelm direct firefighting efforts, meaning engines, dozers, and even hand crews are unlikely to contain the fire at the front lines. Fires at this intensity come with significant risk to life, property, and infrastructure, and highlight the need for serious, proactive mitigation by every property owner in Evergreen and the surrounding communities.
What Jefferson County Is Doing to Address the Rising Risk
As wildfire threats grow more severe, Jefferson County is stepping up in a big way. In 2025, the county approved a nearly $7 million investment to launch a Wildland Fire Management Program – a proactive, community-focused plan to reduce risk, improve emergency response, and support homeowners in high-risk areas.
Here’s how those funds are being put to work:
Helping You Prepare Before a Fire Starts
- The county is developing a home wildfire risk assessment program to help residents understand what needs to be done to reduce fire danger around their properties.
- A new home certification program is in the works to guide homeowners through defensible space improvements and fire-resistant upgrades.
- Micro-grants are being set up to help offset the cost of tree clearing, landscaping changes, and home hardening projects like ember-resistant vents or roofing.
- Expanded community outreach and wildfire education events are planned to better equip homeowners with practical, local information.
Strengthening Emergency Response in Our Community
- Jefferson County is hiring 37 wildfire-focused staff members, including specialists who will focus on prevention, planning, and on-the-ground support during fire season.
- Crews will be equipped with a new off-road fire engine and other tools designed to access difficult terrain and respond more quickly to wildfires near homes.
- Fire personnel will be nationally trained and certified, enabling them to assist local fire departments when major fires break out in high-risk neighborhoods.
Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Safety
- The county has adopted an updated Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which will shape how wildfire risks are managed in the years ahead.
- The Wildfire Risk Reduction Task Force continues to meet and recommend policies to improve safety for residents and neighborhoods.
- Jefferson County has been named a Strategic Focus Area by the state – one of only seven counties to receive this designation – positioning the region for additional funding, support, and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wildfire Risk in Evergreen, CO
Why is Evergreen ranked #1 for wildfire risk in Colorado?
Evergreen has earned the unfortunate distinction of being one of the highest wildfire risk areas in the state, and there are several reasons why.
- High Fuel Loads from Forest Conditions: Decades of fire suppression have created overcrowded forests filled with dense vegetation, dead wood, and undergrowth – exactly the kind of fuel that wildfires feed on. Add in years of drought, and the result is a landscape that ignites easily and burns intensely.
- Extensive Beetle-Kill Tree Loss: Warm winters have allowed mountain pine beetle populations to thrive. These beetles kill large numbers of trees, leaving behind dry, dead wood that adds even more fuel to the fire. Evergreen has been hit especially hard by this trend.
- Prolonged Fire Seasons Due to Climate Change: Fire season used to last just a few months. Now, thanks to reduced snowpack, earlier snowmelt, and longer periods of hot, dry weather, the wildfire window has expanded to nearly year-round.
- Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Development: More homes are being built in and around Evergreen’s forested areas. This puts more people and property at risk, and also increases the number of potential ignition sources, from utilities to vehicles to human activity.
- Challenging Topography and Access: Evergreen’s mountainous terrain makes firefighting difficult. Narrow roads, steep slopes, and limited evacuation routes slow down emergency response and complicate efforts to control fast-moving fires.
Are there grants or cost-share options for wildfire mitigation in Jefferson County?
Yes, Jefferson County is in the process of setting up micro-grant programs to help homeowners reduce wildfire risk. These grants are part of the county’s nearly $7 million investment in wildfire prevention and will help offset the cost of creating defensible space and hardening homes against wildfire.
While full program details are still being developed, funding will likely be available for things like:
- Removing flammable vegetation near your home
- Upgrading to ember-resistant vents or roofing
- Replacing wood mulch or fencing with fire-resistant materials
What is home hardening and why does it matter in wildfire-prone areas like Evergreen?
Home hardening refers to making upgrades that help your house resist catching fire from flying embers, heat, or direct flames during a wildfire. It’s a key strategy in high-risk areas like Evergreen, where wind-driven fires can spread quickly through neighborhoods.
Some common home hardening improvements include:
- Replacing roof or siding materials with fire-resistant alternatives (Class A roofing, stucco, cement board)
- Installing ember-resistant vents and screens to keep flying embers out of attics and crawlspaces
- Upgrading windows and decks to materials that won’t ignite easily
- Using non-flammable fencing and gravel instead of wood mulch and combustible materials near structures
These upgrades can dramatically increase your home’s chances of surviving a wildfire, especially when combined with defensible space. Jefferson County’s wildfire mitigation plan includes funding and guidance to support homeowners in making these changes.
How can I stay informed during wildfire season in Jefferson County?
Staying informed is critical. Here’s how to make sure you get updates quickly and reliably:
- Sign up for emergency alerts through Jefferson County’s official emergency notification platform (LookoutAlert)
- Monitor local conditions, red flag warnings, and fire restrictions and bans from Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Get Help Protecting What Matters Most from LAM Tree Service
In Evergreen, wildfire risk is a year-round threat. That means preparation can’t wait for summer or the next red flag warning. The most effective time to act is before there’s smoke in the air.
At LAM Tree Service, we help homeowners reduce that risk by creating defensible space, thinning overgrown vegetation, and removing dead or dying trees. Our team is based right here in the foothills, so we understand the terrain, the fuel loads, and what it takes to make your property safer.
Whether you’re just getting started or need expert help with fire mitigation, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Call us at 303-502-2188 or request an estimate online today.
