safety
Aspen Fire recommends wildfire hardening for APCHA HOAs
By Beau Toepfer Follow
btoepfer@aspentimes.com at Aspen Times
· June 28, 2026
· 4 min read
Andy Fisher, deputy chief of Aspen Fire Protection District, presented to the Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority board on Wednesday, June 17, about wildfire hardening procedures for APCHA-owned building complexes, urging hardening against ember showers and vegetation removal around houses.
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Key takeaway Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem John Doyle told The Aspen Times that Fairway Three has a relatively large capital fund compared to other APCHA developments, which was instrumental in their ability to perform the work.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The Aspen Fire Protection District's push for wildfire hardening in APCHA-owned building complexes raises crucial questions about the city's ability to protect its affordable housing stock from the growing threat of wildfires. Given Aspen's location in a high-risk wildfire zone, with the Roaring Fork Valley's dry months and abundant vegetation creating a volatile mix, the need for proactive mitigation measures is clear. The example of Fairway Three's successful hardening efforts in Snowmass Village offers a promising model, but the challenge of scaling this up to other APCHA developments is significant, particularly given the varying levels of capital funds available to each HOA. As the city considers how to support these efforts, it will be important to weigh the costs and benefits of providing assistance, and to explore creative solutions that can help bridge the funding gap and ensure that all APCHA properties are adequately protected.
About this story
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Category: safety ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Andy Fisher, deputy chief of Aspen Fire Protection District, presented to the Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority board on Wednesday, June 17, about wildfire hardening procedures for APCHA-owned building complexes, urging hardening against ember showers and vegetation removal around houses.
...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Beau Toepfer Follow
btoepfer@aspentimes.com at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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