Wildfire Preparedness in the Avenues – We Are All At Risk!

UTAH HOUSE BILL 48 – WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE MODIFICATIONS

         To address wildfire risk where residential areas meet open space areas – the Wildland Urban Interface Zone – the State has mandated that all cities adopt these regulations regulating building materials, construction requirements, building separation and landscaping to create more wildfire resistant properties in certain areas.

See House Bill 48 HERE

See the Storyboard on the Wildland Urban Interface Zoning Ordinance Changes HERE

SLC WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE ORDINANCE

         As a result of House Bill 48 shown above, the Salt Lake City Council has adopted an ordinance that would adopt the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Code required by the State, along with a map that shows where the WUI Fire Code would apply. The ordinance also amends Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code to give precedence to the adopted WUI Code where it conflicts with regulations, with the exception of the Riparian Corridor Overlay. 

Certain Greater Avenues properties will be affected by the adoption of the State Wildland Urban Interface Code.

See more at Salt Lake Wildland Urban Interface Fire Code

See Deseret News Wildland Code article by Carter Williams HERE

TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME AND FAMILY

         See the GACC’s Wildfire Committee’s flyer on Personal and Property preparedness HERE

KNOW YOUR FIRE ZONE

Over 1,500 residences within the Avenues are especially vulnerable to wildfire due to their proximity to the fire-prone “Wildland Urban Interface” (WUI).

Many more properties throughout the Avenues are susceptible – due to their density and unpredictable fire weather.

It is important for residents to understand how fire can damage our homes and property, and how we can lessen the possibility of damage.

If each of us does our part to reduce risk, we can collectively create a safer, more resilient neighborhood!

Check Your Fire Risk on the map HERE

REQUEST AN ASSSESSMENT OF YOUR HOME’s FIRE RISK

The Salt Lake City Fire Department will conduct a free assessment of your home’s Fire Risk. Schedule an appointment HERE

WILDFIRE RISK AND HOMEOWNERS’ INSURANCE

An important consideration is your homeowner’s coverage and how it relates to fire risk. Our GACC Wildfire Preparedness committee chair Amy Merritt-Smith has created this Homeowners 101 report with some great suggestions. 

Homeowners’ Insurance Check-up by Amy Merritt-Smith, December 2025

Independent agents and direct homeowners’ insurance policy sellers advise reviewing and possibly updating your policy during the winter, outside wildfire season. Proactively read and understand policy coverage.

Key policy areas to review with your agent are:  

Coverage A: Dwelling and Other Structures, including hardscape, fencing, sheds, and outbuildings. Consider a replacement cost coverage versus a cash value policy. Contractors and recent comparable home sales offer guidance on current price per square foot estimates.

Coverage B: Contents. Inventory and make images of possessions and save those to the cloud. Consider extra coverage for jewelry, art, and antiques.

Coverage C: Loss of Use. Many policies limit coverage to 24 months. Other coverage. This typically includes landscape, debris removal, and code upgrades. Harden your home by creating defensible space around your home’s exterior to increase your safety and potentially influence your premium and coverage.

Always take steps to protect your home and family!  See the GACC Wildfire Committee’s flyer on Personal and Property preparedness at

https://avenuescouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GACC-Wildfire-Flyer-web.pdf

Give your insurer proof of any work you’ve done. 

United Policy Holders is an independent resource for insurance guidelines: www.uphelp.org

Email gaccwildfire@slc-avenues.org with any questions about this information.

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS GUIDELINES 

The best thing a homeowner can do to protect their property is CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE.

Some easy and immediate steps to take are:

• Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers.
• Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
• Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
• Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
• Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows
• Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
• Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn.
• Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

The time you spend on wildfire prevention around your home is important and the SLC Fire Department is asking residents to report the hours you spend removing possible wildfire fuels around your home.

More information on wildfire prevention and preparation can be seen at https://www.slc.gov/fire/wildland/.

LINKS TO WILDFIRE PREPARATION RESOURCES

MAKE A PLAN – Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and your property. See the link for Salt Lake City’s Personal Wildfire Action Plan.  

US Drought monitor – https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

Western US Mega drought – https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/american-west-may-be-entering-megadrought-worse-any-historical-record-180974688/

Be Aware of Weather Conditions – Eastern Great Basin – Rocky Mountain Region

Have a Plan – https://www.slc.gov/fire/ready-set-go/ https://www.ready.gov/wildfires

“Go Bags” – The best go bags are personalized. Everyone’s most likely risks (wildfire, earthquake, etc.) and personal needs (kids, pets, meds, etc) are different. Where we are each likely to evacuate to may also be different (shelter, friends or relatives, office space, etc.).

Prepare a Personalized “Go Bag”: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SOlvLKjMm0D0sWpqjVxX6Tv5ghft3pUl/view

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness: https://beready.utah.gov/

Help Your Children Be Ready For Disasters:  “Sesame Street Wildfires” poster 

Be Ready Utah: DISASTER SUPPLY KIT CHECKLIST

 How Do Homes Burn in a Wildfire? (Hint – It is often the small things!)

Yard Litter and Landscaping – Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)

Remodeling Structural Envelopes To Reduce Fire Risk

Five Things That Can Protect Communities 

SLC has a new Citizen Wildfire Mitigation Program 

SLC Guidelines for Trimming and Seeding of Grasses on Salt Lake City Open Space Lands Adjacent to Eligible Parcels

See the Wildfire Evacuation Checklist HERE

 Please contact your Greater Avenues Wildfire Preparedness Community Liaison, Amy Merritt-Smith at gaccwildfire@slc-avenues.org. or call (707) 849-6124 with any questions.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD