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During drought watch periods, HRCA maintains a regular cadence of meetings with Douglas County Communications and Office of Emergency Management, Highlands Ranch Water, and South Metro Fire Rescue to stay informed on conditions and fire risk. To stay up to date, we encourage members to follow HRCA on social media (Instagram: @intheranch and Facebook: Highlands Ranch Community Association), read the monthly HRCA newsletter, and visit our website. We share timely updates and often direct members to our partner agencies’ official resources, as they are the most reliable sources of expert information.

For Existing Residential Properties in Highlands Ranch

Fire & Drought Mitigation: Requirements & Best Practices

For exisiting homes in Highlands Ranch, most wildfire mitigation measures are not retroactive requirements under current codes. In other words, features such as established landscaping, wood fencing, or other exterior elements that were compliant when installed are generally not subject to retroactive code-based requirements. 

There are typically three situations where fire-related requirements apply: 

  1. When a homeowner is completing new construction, an addition, or a permitted exterior modification; or
  2. When a specifici hazardous condition is indentified (for example, excessive buildup of dry or combustible materials); or 
  3. When a formal vegetation or fuel management program is adopted and enforced by the appropriate authority. 

Outside of these scenarios, many of the recommendations homeowners receive are considered best practices, not mandatory requirements. Taking steps to reduce wildfire risk can improve the safety of your home and surrounding community, even when not required by code. 

The likelihood that materials in and on your home will ignite during a wildfire is known as structrual ignitability. You can take steps to reduce the ignitability of an existing home by:

  • Removing all leaves, needles, and other debris from decks, roofs and gutters
  • Mowing grass and weeds to a height of 4 inches or less
  • Treating or mowing shrubs that re-sprout aggressively (such as Gambel oak) every 3-5 years or more depending on growth rates
  • Install or replace your roof with Class A-rated roofing materials
  • Screen attic, roof, eaves, and foundation vents with a 1/8-inch metal mesh

Learn more about how to protect your home from wildfires from the Colorado State Forest Service.

In 2024, HRCA transformed 55,000 square feet of turf at Westridge into water-wise Xeric landscaping. We invite homeowners to explore the area and discover plants that can help create more drought-resistant yards. To make it easy, we’ve created a visual guide highlighting the plants featured at Westridge, offer six pre-approved Coloradoscape plans in Section 2.94 of the HRCA Residential Improvement Guidelines (RIGs) and all Coloradoscape application fees are waived at this time.

To support your own landscaping goals, check out our Community Partner, Lawncare Solutions, and Neighborhood Network Partner, Enviroscapes, for expert guidance and services. You can view Enviroscapes' guide to Xeriscaping in Highlands Ranch here. 

HRCA Xeric Plantings: Visual Guide

Fire Mitigation in the Backcountry

Fire mitigation has been at the forefront of Backcountry Wilderness Area management for more than a decade. We plan for wildfire year-round—reducing fuel, improving access, and working with our partners to prepare for when it happens. By managing the entire landscape, we help slow fire spread and improve safety for the surrounding community. 

High fire danger is not new for us in the Backcountry. We experience cycles of extreme fire risk on a regular basis, and because of that, wildfire mitigation has been a priority for over a decade. Our management practices are built around that reality, not just during drought years or when fire danger is making headlines.

We work closely with South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) to improve both prevention and response:

• Training on-site: SMFR regularly trains in the Backcountry, allowing crews to become familiar with our roads, terrain, and access points.

• Forest management: Through training exercises, SMFR has removed hundreds of trees over the years, improving forest health and reducing fire risk while saving significant costs.

• Coordinated response system: In 2018–19, we partnered with SMFR to map the entire property into a shared grid and response system. All roads and access points are clearly labeled, helping improve response times, communication across organizations, and firefighter safety during an incident.

We maintain our dirt road system to a high standard so emergency vehicles can move quickly and safely throughout the property. This ensures:

• Fast access to potential fire starts

• Reliable routes for fire engines and water tenders

• Safe travel conditions for emergency response crews

Each year, we actively reduce wildfire fuel loads across the Backcountry:

• Brush and oak management: We clear acres of Gambel oak annually, focusing on areas along roads to create fuel breaks that can help slow or stop fire spread.

• Forest health work: We selectively remove oak within ponderosa pine stands to reduce the risk of canopy fires. This helps keep fires on the ground, increasing the likelihood that mature pines can survive a wildfire.

• Habitat benefits: These efforts not only reduce fire risk but also improve overall habitat health and diversity.

 

We take a conservative and conditions-based approach to fire restrictions in the Backcountry:

  • Open flames:
    • Propane fire pits are allowed only during periods of low or minimal fire danger.
    • Wood fires are not allowed, except under very limited conditions when there is adequate snow cover.
    • During periods of elevated fire danger, all open flames are prohibited, including propane.

  • Proactive restrictions:
    • We follow County fire bans, but our internal restrictions are often more protective and may go into effect earlier.

  • Operational adjustments: As fire danger increases, we modify our day-to-day operations to reduce risk. For example, during the highest fire danger conditions:
    • Vehicles are restricted to improved roads only
    • Work that could generate sparks is suspended
    • Additional precautions are taken across all field operations

In addition to on-the-ground mitigation work, we are expanding efforts to better educate the community during periods of elevated fire danger. This includes:

  • Social media outreach: Sharing timely updates, reminders, and guidance on how to reduce fire risk
  • Trailhead and on-trail messaging: Posting informational flyers at trailheads and in “bugles” along the trail system to highlight current conditions and restrictions
  • Public awareness: Encouraging visitors to make responsible choices and speak up if they see unsafe behavior

 

These efforts are intended to keep fire risk top of mind and support a shared responsibility for protecting the Backcountry and surrounding community.

From the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, South Metro Fire Rescue, & Highlands Ranch Metro District

Fire Restrictions

Highlands Ranch is currently under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions due to heightened fire danger conditions. Open burning of any kind is prohibited. For the latest information and to learn more about what is prohibited, visit the Douglas County Sheriff's Office website. 

The Metro District's key goals for managing our natural resources are the health of the resource and public safety. We incorporate several strategies – and collaborate with our community partners – to implement sustainable stewardship. To learn more about the best practices, visit the Highlands Ranch Metro District website. 

Are you concerned about your property's wildfire risk? Any homeowner served by South Metro Fire Rescue, which includes Highlands Ranch residents, can email [email protected] to schedule time for a free, 30-minute home assessment. A SMFR risk reduction specialist will walk your property with you and discuss strategies for improving safety.

In Colorado, wildfires will always be a natural part of the beautiful state we have chosen to call home. However, wildfires have evolved in recent years, making them extremely dangerous and challenging for firefighters to control. 

Please use the South Metro Fire Community Risk Reduction page to help you prepare for a wildfire so you can leave early; confident that you have done everything reasonably possible to protect your home and loved ones from a destructive wildfire. 

From Highlands Ranch Water

Water & Drought Information

The Highlands Ranch Water Board of Directors enacted Stage 1 drought restrictions at its March 30 Board of Directors meeting. The decision was made in response to ongoing warm, dry conditions and increasing demand across its service area. Elevated wintertime watering, combined with a historically low snowpack in the South Platte Basin, has placed added strain on the system.

For the most up-to-date drought information, visit the Highlands Ranch Water Drought Resource Center

Highlands Ranch Water has enacted the following mandatory measures designed to reduce inefficient use of water resources.

  • No outdoor irrigation is allowed from 10 am until 6 pm
  • Stage 1 drought restrictions limit watering to 2 days per week.
    • Residential ODD-numbered addresses can water on Wednesday and Saturday
    • Residential EVEN-numbered addresses can water Thursday and Sunday
  • Drip irrigation and hand-watering trees, shrubs, perennials and vegetables are allowed at any time with a hose that is equipped with a shut-off device.
  • Wasteful watering practices are prohibited. This includes allowing excess water to flow into street gutters, and neglecting to repair leaks.

Learn more about water conservation from Highlands Ranch Water. 

Learn more about rebates and incentives, recommended watering schedules, and other conservation tips by visiting the Highlands Ranch Water website. 

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