Our Approach
How We Think.
How We Work.
What You Get.
Our Principles
Every property is different. Cookie-cutter mitigation doesn't work. Every recommendation is based on what's actually growing on your land, how your property sits on the terrain, and what your structure needs — not a template applied the same way to every lot.
Wildfire safety shouldn't depend on your budget. Every home in the valley faces the same fire. Not every homeowner has the same resources. If cost is a barrier, reach out anyway. Walk-arounds are free. Our DIY checklist is free. When you're ready for paid services, we work with you on pricing. Nobody should lose their insurance because they couldn't afford to ask for help.
We follow the science, not shortcuts. Methodology is grounded in Colorado State Forest Service Home Ignition Zone guidelines and the National Fire Protection Association standards outlined in NFPA 1140. When we hand you documentation, it holds up — with your insurer, with WRWC, the fire districts, and with anyone else who needs to verify the work.
Our mitigation isn't deforestation. We reduce fire risk while maintaining healthy, diverse forests. That means prioritizing fire-resistant species like aspen, retaining wildlife habitat where safe, and improving forest health through thoughtful thinning. The goal is a resilient landscape, not a clear-cut.
Your documentation is yours. Whether you hire us for mitigation work or not, your assessment belongs to you. Use it with your insurer, share it with your property manager, hand it to another contractor, or tackle the simpler items yourself and call us for the rest. No pressure, no strings.
Our Process
Step 1
Free Walk-Around
Every engagement starts with a free 60-90 minute walkthrough. We meet you at your property, listen to your concerns, and walk every zone together — from the structure outward. You receive verbal observations, a written summary, our DIY homeowner checklist, and an optional line-item quote so you have an idea of what each task would cost. No pressure. No commitment.
Step 2
Choose Your Path
Based on what we observed and your goals, you choose what comes next:
All work and deliverables are 20% off until June 31, 2026!
Mitigation Work
Hands-on defensible space and fire-focused forestry, customized to your property and your priorities. Every project is scoped to what's actually growing on your land, how the property sits on the terrain, and what you want addressed. Pick what you want addressed and leave the rest for later. All debris and slash is hauled to the Gunnison County tree dump or chipped on-site.
Some projects need work outside our direct scope — goat grazing on steep terrain, climbing or crane arborist work, structural retrofits requiring specialty contractors. We coordinate with trusted local providers, managing scope, quality of materials and work, and adherence to fire standards so the job is done right the first time.
FireBrief℠ ($375)
A systematic assessment of your property. Every zone, every structural component evaluated and documented with photos and scoring. Includes:
A prioritized 3-year roadmap
Statement of Compliance
18 months of access through your secure client portal
The right product when you want a working plan to share with your insurance agent or other contractors, or if you want a detailed view of your property’s status and mitigation program.
FireFile℠ (starting at $575, 20% off if purchased with FireBrief)
Everything in the FireBrief, plus:
A deeper, science-based on-site visit
A 35 to 45-page comprehensive audit covering structural details, vegetation inventory for fire, full defensible space evaluation, and expanded analysis
Built for situations where documentation needs to hold up to scrutiny — insurance non-renewal or premium disputes, appeals under HB25-1182, and pre-sale documentation for high-value properties.
Step 3
The Work
In the field, our approach is methodical, fully customizable, and zone-based. Generally we focus on:
Zone 0 (0-5 ft): Non-combustible perimeter around the structure. Vegetation, outbuildings, combustible mulch, and stored materials addressed.
Zone 1 (5-30 ft): Tree thinning for proper crown spacing, ladder fuel removal, lower-branch pruning, removal of high-risk species, and knocking down surface fuels. Fire-resistant species, ecologically valuable plants, and healthy mature trees are retained where spacing and fire risk allow.
Zone 2 (30-100 ft): Forest density reduction to slow fire spread and bring fire out of the trees to the ground. Thinning is heavier near the structure, gradually less restrictive toward the outer boundary. Dead and down material, heavy slash, and continuous fuel beds addressed.
Beyond 100 ft: Standard defensible space extends to 100 feet, but some properties need more. When terrain, slope, aspect, fuel conditions, or community safety warrant, we recommend extended mitigation. Grant funding may be available for this kind of work, and we can help you navigate the application process.
All slash is hauled to the Gunnison County tree dump, where it becomes Gunni Gold premium compost. Nothing wasted.
Step 4
Follow-Through
After the work is complete, we update your assessment with post-mitigation conditions and photos. You receive updated documentation reflecting your improved status.
We also help with:
WRWC cost-share documentation — invoices, photos, and contractor reports needed for cost-share reimbursement
Insurance documentation — your assessment formatted to give your insurer what they need under HB25-1182
Annual refresh — a yearly check to maintain documentation, catch regrowth, and stay current as conditions change
Step 5
Maintenance & Ongoing Services
For existing clients, two services extend the relationship beyond the initial work:
Annual Refresh
A yearly visit to update your assessment with current conditions, capture regrowth, document any new risk factors, and refresh your portal documentation. Keeps your insurance documentation current and your action plan aligned with how the property has changed. Available to FireBrief and FireFile clients.
Red Flag Property Standby
During fire season, we monitor red flag warnings and conduct a property check within 24 hours of a warning being issued. Useful especially for second-home owners and property owners who can't be on-site during high-risk weather events. Available to clients who want the additional coverage; details and pricing on request.
What You Walk Away With
Professional documentation. The FireBrief and FireFIle assessment formatted for insurance review under HB25-1182, with clear action items and a Statement of Compliance.
Insurance leverage. Documented mitigation strengthens your position with insurers, supports premium reviews, and provides evidence for non-renewal challenges.
Money back in your pocket. If you decide to pursue it, the WRWC cost-share reimburses up to 75% of qualifying mitigation work. We handle the documentation so you don't leave money on the table.
A healthier forest. Thoughtful thinning improves species diversity, reduces beetle and disease susceptibility, and creates a resilient landscape — not just a firebreak.
A clear plan. Whatever remains after initial work, your assessment lays out exactly what's left, what it will cost, and when to address it. No guesswork.
Conducted by Jack Clark, CWMS-candidate. Methodology aligned with NFPA 1140 (2022), Colorado State Forest Service Home Ignition Zone guidelines, and IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home standards.
Veteran-owned. Based in Crested Butte, CO.