NFPA 1144 Defensible Space
Colorado insurers are dropping policies and issuing non-compliance letters at record rates. NFPA 1144 is the defensible space standard they use to evaluate wildfire risk — and it's the benchmark we cut to on every job.
We clear ladder fuels, remove dead and dying trees, thin overstocked stands, and create the zone separations NFPA 1144 requires. Properties up to 20 acres along the 285 corridor.
- Zone 0–5 ft: non-combustible ground cover
- Zone 5–30 ft: ladder fuel removal, crown separation
- Zone 30–100 ft: thinning, spacing, dead material removal
- Documentation available for insurer submission
Precision Felling in Tight Spaces
Not every tree can be dropped straight. Hazard trees near structures, on steep slopes, and in dense timber require proper notching, wedging, and a controlled direction of fall — or you're gambling with your property.
We handle the technical work that other crews won't touch: widow makers, leaners, trees over rooflines, and steep-slope removal where a standard felling cut isn't an option.
- Hazard trees near structures and fences
- Steep slope and hillside removal
- Dense timber stand thinning
- Proper notch, back cut, and wedge technique
Mountain Driveways & Site Work
Our Vermeer S450TX stand-on tracked loader handles steep, treacherous driveways that standard equipment can't reach. No cab, low center of gravity, and tracks that grip where tires slip.
Driveway grading and regrading, gravel pad compaction, new parking areas, and general site prep — we move earth efficiently with the right attachments for mountain terrain.
- Driveway grading and regrading
- Gravel surface work and compaction
- New parking area construction
- Stand-on tracked equipment — no cab, steep terrain capable
French Drains, Swales & Berms
Standing water and erosion are property killers on mountain terrain. We read the land, find where water is moving, and build the drainage infrastructure to fix it right — not just redirect the problem.
French drains, drainage swales, berms, and culvert work. We handle the full job from excavation to gravel installation.
- French drain installation
- Drainage swale cutting and grading
- Berm construction for erosion control
- Culvert installation and maintenance
Decking, Stairs & Fire Mesh Installation
NFPA 1144 doesn't stop at the tree line — Zone 0 starts at your structure. Combustible decking, open stair risers, and unscreened vents are the most common ways fire enters a home. We build and retrofit to close those gaps.
Deck construction and replacement, stair framing, metal railing installation, fire mesh screening for vents and under-deck cavities, and non-combustible gravel ground cover around structures. We do the carpentry and the compliance work together.
- Deck construction and replacement
- Stair framing and metal railing installation
- Fire mesh screening for vents and soffits
- Non-combustible gravel Zone 0 ground cover
Long-Term Property Assessment
A one-time cut isn't a forest health plan. We walk your property, assess stand density, identify disease and infestation pressure, and build a multi-year management plan that keeps your land healthy and your insurance current.
Mistletoe infestation, bark beetle pressure, dead and dying pine identification, and crown fire risk assessment — we document what we find and give you a clear picture of what needs to happen and when.
- Stand density and crown fire risk assessment
- Mistletoe and bark beetle identification
- Dead and dying tree inventory
- Multi-year management plan with priority sequencing
Larger Property Planning
Larger properties need a plan before the first cut. We assess your tract, map the work scope, estimate material volumes, and sequence the project so nothing gets missed and nothing gets damaged.
From aerial assessment to on-the-ground scope documentation — we give you a clear picture of the full project before work begins.
- Aerial and on-site tract assessment
- Work scope mapping and sequencing
- Material volume estimation (cubic yards)
- Multi-day project scheduling