©IBHS

Two small mock homes stood outside the West Metro Fire Rescue Training Center in Lakewood. Firefighters intentionally lit the mulch and surrounding plants on fire in front of both of them, but only one home went up in flames. That home, constructed with normal building materials, was quickly fully engulfed in large flames with smoke and soot flying everywhere. It had a wood fence, spare firewood up against the side of the house, and evergreens on either side. The other home, however, was essentially untouched. It was designed with wildfire in mind – plants are five feet away, and it used multi-paned glass and a metal fence.  The gathering of local and state fire leaders aimed to show what happens when a home is built with wildfire-conscious materials. …The wildfire-mitigated home was designed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.