Vail Helps Residents Fund Their “Fire Free Five” Defensible Landscaping
Post Date:04/09/2026 11:54 AMVail Fire and Emergency Services (VFES) is once again offering financial support to property owners within the town who voluntarily undertake projects that result in a five-foot non-combustible zone around an entire building.
This action is more important than ever given the record low snowpack this winter season. Fire Chief Mark Novak says adhering to Fire Free Five standards is the most critical step property owners can take to protect their structure from a wildfire. Creation of a non-combustible buffer helps keep embers from igniting a home. The more buildings throughout the Town of Vail that create this defensible space, the safer the community is, due to the reduction of devastating structure-to-structure ignition.
Eligible expenses for reimbursement include materials and labor, and funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This program reimburses property owners 75% of actual costs of materials and labor; property owners provide a minimum 25% cash match. For complete program details, including a landscaping guide and the application, visit www.vail.gov/firefreefive.
