Morrison, CO — Four neighborhoods in the Willow Springs community—Whale Rock, Sundance, Willow Springs North, and Triangle Park—have officially been recognized as Firewise USA® sites by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This national designation highlights their proactive work to reduce wildfire risk and improve community resilience.

The effort to become Firewise took on new urgency after the Marshall Fire in 2021 in Boulder County, and two fires closer to home- the Snow Creek Fire in July 2022 and the Quarry Fire in 2024.  Concerned that the fire could impact their neighborhoods, many came together to take action—leading to the creation of local Firewise committees and a focus on community-wide wildfire preparedness.

At the heart of these efforts is a focus on home wildfire mitigation, the key to protecting structures and entire communities from wildfire. Wildfire has no boundaries, and it’s not always flames that destroy homes—more than 90% of homes lost in wildfires are victims of ember showers. These wind-driven embers can travel miles ahead of the flame front and ignite debris caught in gutters, mulch near the foundation, or dead vegetation on roofs and decks—setting homes ablaze before the fire ever arrives.

To earn the Firewise recognition, each neighborhood followed the Firewise USA® program’s five-step process:

1. Organized a neighborhood Firewise committee.
2. Assessed wildfire risks through a formal evaluation of homes and surrounding areas.
3. Created a plan with specific actions to reduce vulnerabilities.
4. Invested in risk reduction, such as community clean-up days and resident outreach.
5. Submitted an application through the NFPA’s Firewise portal.

By taking these steps, the neighborhoods have not only improved safety for residents and first responders, but also strengthened community ties. Residents may now benefit from potential insurance discounts, greater access to mitigation resources, and ongoing support from wildfire safety organizations.

“Watching the smoke from the Snow Creek Fire creep over the ridge was a wake-up call,” said Todd Houghton, a Willow Springs resident and Firewise committee volunteer. “It really brought our community together with a shared sense of purpose. We realized we couldn’t wait until a fire was at our doorstep to start preparing.”

West Metro Fire officials praised the neighborhoods’ commitment and leadership.

“Wildfire preparedness starts at home, and the residents of Willow Springs have set a powerful example of what it means to be Firewise,” said Captain Brendan Finnegan, Wildland Coordinator with West Metro Fire Rescue. “This recognition isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about creating safer communities and giving firefighters a better chance to protect lives and property when wildfires strike.”

Tom Welle, West Metro’s Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, worked closely with Willow Springs residents throughout the process. “These neighbors put in the work—from assessing risk to following through on mitigation. It’s not an easy lift, but they were dedicated every step of the way,” said Welle. “They’ve built a stronger, more fire-adapted community, and that’s something to be proud of.”

The Firewise USA® program encourages neighbors to work together to reduce wildfire risks, providing tools, training, and support to communities across the country. For more information or to learn how your neighborhood can become Firewise, click on the “Contact Us” button on the main page of this website.