Wildfire Prevention

Wildfires in Hawaii, California, Colorado's Front Range and locally demonstrate the increasingly catastrophic nature of wildfire events. City staff have been working on a plan and evaluating specific responses to reconcile current city code with efforts to reduce and mitigate wildfire risks in the Aspen area. 

This interdepartmental team represents a range of stakeholders with a focus on those that have oversight and involvement in development and in the management of Aspen’s urban forest and built environment. Staff will continue to work with Aspen Fire Protection District as the city navigates challenges of building urban wildfire resilience. 

Unlike some large cities where many fire services are part of the municipal government, the city of Aspen is one of many local, state and federal partners who have a role in wildfire mitigation and response. 

While Aspen has an international name, we are a remote, rural city of just under four square miles with around 8,000 residents, so we can’t address wildfire alone. This is especially true because of Aspen’s location within the 3,572-square-mile White River National Forest.

While there are many players, we work well together, we train together and actively participate in each other’s programs financially and through staff collaboration. Click the “Resources” tab below to read an overview of our partners and their programs.

Partners:Logo utilititesLogo ParksLogo Pitkin countyLogo Aspen Fire Department 

  1. Fuel Reduction and Tree Removal
  2. Building Code Requirements for Ignition Resistant Construction
  3. Tips for Fire Resistant Landscapes

The City of Aspen has made changes to Municipal Code 13.20* to allow homeowners to reduce wildfire fuels, such as trees and shrubs, around properties.  These changes balance the long-term benefits of a healthy urban forest with the recognized need to make our homes resilient to wildfire threats.  

Trees are an important part of our community, and while we aim to keep our community safe from wildfire, we also want to maintain healthy air quality, keep our town cool in the summer months, and retain all the great benefits that an urban forest provides.

A property owner intending to remove trees for fire mitigation purposes shall follow these steps before proceeding with removal.

  1. Contact the Aspen Fire Protection District for a free home assessment- Schedule An Assessment - Aspen Fire Protection District
  2. After the home assessment is complete, apply for a tree removal permit from the Parks and Open Space Department and include the home assessment as a part of the submission.
  3. Meet with the City Forester onsite to discuss the trees proposed for removal and verify the strategies proposed per management zone. The City Forester will make the final determination on what will be allowed for removal or relocation based on the ‘Wildfire Mitigation Matrix’ (shown below).
  4. Following the receipt of a tree removal permit, the tree(s) may be removed by the homeowner or a licensed tree care provider.
  5. If replanting of wildfire resistant trees is stipulated as part of the permit, schedule an inspection with the Forester once that work is complete.

Information regarding wildfire mitigation

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss tree removal and fuel reduction around your home, please contact the Parks and Open Space Department Forester at 970-920-5120.   Please visit Aspen Fire Protection District’s website to get started with your free home assessment to review your property’s risk for wildfire: Aspen Fire Home Assessment

At this point, there are no changes to permits for the removal of trees for development purposes; the code change is for standalone tree permits only.