Vulnerable communities in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) face some of the highest wildfire risks—and the greatest barriers to reducing them. In this session, four Boulder-area organizations will share tools, strategies, challenges, and lessons learned in their efforts to achieve comprehensive wildfire risk reduction for neighborhoods adjacent to public lands. 

We'll explore the complex and interconnected facets of wildfire management, including: modeling wildfire behavior; assessing Home Ignition Zones (HIZs) that span public and private lands; evaluating risk across ownership boundaries; managing both vegetative and structural fuel hazards; using land management software to assess risk and plan projects; coordinating across agencies; and engaging communities. 

The session will highlight both the successes and persistent challenges in Boulder’s high-risk WUI. As public concern and motivation grows, so does the opportunity for innovative, collaborative approaches to build lasting wildfire resilience.

Experience Level: Intermediate, Expert