Summit County's Wildfire Council grant program reimburses half the cost of defensible-space work — the Town of Blue River's version documents it plainly: a 50/50 grant plus a $100 town incentive, so a $12,000 mitigation job costs the homeowner $5,900. 2026 applications are closed; homeowners are told to get contractor bids now for the 2027 funding cycle, using any contractor they choose.

Grant math	Total mitigation cost $12,000 − 50/50 grant $6,000 − $100 town incentive = $5,900 homeowner bill. Over 100 homes have participated since 2011.
Timing	2026 grant applications are closed. Get a contractor evaluation and bid now to be considered in the 2027 funding cycle — the program works the same regardless of which contractor you use.
Fire district guidance	Red, White & Blue Fire District: fire-resistant roofing (Class C or better) and defensible space are the two primary determinants of a home's wildfire survivability; defensible space of at least 75 feet on flat ground, more on slopes.

Details to confirm with the county

We couldn't confirm the following from Summit County's official pages. Check these with the county before you rely on them:

• County-wide grant caps and how other Summit towns' incentives differ from Blue River's.
• Summit Fire & EMS chipping program details.

Verified July 2026 · Source: Town of Blue River — Defensible Space & Mitigation Grants (Summit County Wildfire Council program)