Cedar Heights neighbors gathered Saturday to enjoy each other’s company and food, thank first responders and learn more about measures that could protect their homes from flames.

“It was a close community, but it’s closer now,” said resident Tom Ford.

About 300 people attended the third annual Cedar Heights Safety and Security Information Festival on Saturday. The event, originally scheduled for June, was postponed by the Waldo Canyon fire. A key part of the celebration was honoring emergency service workers who help save the gated community.

Cedar Heights was a big concern for residents and firefighters in the early days of the fire, which started June 23. Many expected the worst when the community was evacuated shortly after the fire ignited. The fire tripled in size on June 26 and burned into the Mountain Shadows neighborhood, consuming 346 homes and killing two people.

The blaze also sent spot fires into Cedar Heights.

However, more than 10 years of mitigation efforts to deprive fires of fuel and the heroic work of emergency crews saved the community, said Lani Henneman, resident and homeowners association president.

“When it hit the mitigation, the fire laid down,” she said. City and government agencies have since toured the community in the foothills near Garden of the Gods to learn about the program, Henneman said.

Experts say it’s unclear if anything could have saved Mountain Shadows as the blaze blasted northeast ahead of hurricane-force winds. Cedar heights dodged a bullet.

“We were lucky, but we were prepared,” she said

Efforts are ongoing, Henneman said, adding that some homeowners who weren’t fully supportive of fire mitigation efforts in the past are now embracing the concept.

Some are changing the materials used on their homes, adding stucco and replacing wood-shingle roofs.

The most important part of Saturday’s event, judging by cheers and applause, was when residents honored emergency service crews, and the community’s own security staff.

Representatives from several police and fire agencies, were on hand to accept honors for the work during the Waldo Canyon fire.

Additional thanks went to security staff in Cedar Heights, a gated community.

Cedar Height’s security crew stayed behind when homes were evacuated, and were a lifeline to keep residents informed, said resident Kathy Speas. She and her husband have lived in Cedar Heights for 27 years.

“Our community is so special,” she said.

“I’m glad it was a happy celebration,” said her husband, Andy Sikora.

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Contact Kristina Iodice: 636-0162 Twitter @GazetteKristina Facebook Kristina Iodice