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Your Voice Needed on Larimer County’s Wildfire Plan by February 13
As many of us know, living in the beautiful landscape of Larimer County comes with a shared responsibility: being prepared for wildfire. Recent data from the U.S. Forest Service highlights just how critical this is—Larimer County faces a higher wildfire likelihood than 92% of counties nationwide . In response, Larimer County is currently updating its Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) , and they want to hear from us. Why Does This Plan Matter to Our Neighborhood? The C
pinewoodlakewag
5 hours ago2 min read
Meet the Rangers: February 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
My name is Cindy Claggett, Larimer County Department of Natural Resources District Manager for the South District, which includes Pinewood, Carter Lake, and Flatiron Reservoir, as well as the future Chimney Hollow. I have worked for the department for over 19 years. I even lived off of County Road 18e for two years, and I now live in a different mountain community with similar struggles and benefits as you all face. I like to keep up communications as one of your neighbors
pinewoodlakewag
3 days ago2 min read
Home Insurance: Rocky Mountain PBS Report (Video)
From Rocky Mountain PBS: Homeowners in Colorado face difficult decisions when it comes to insuring their home. With increasing fires and more intensive hail, Rocky Mountain PBS and Colorado Public Radio look into the looming crisis — and what the state government is doing to address it. Click here to watch the 26-minute video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=50g8k7FaLOE&t=48s Here is an AI summary of the video: This video, titled "Undercovered: Colorad
pinewoodlakewag
Jan 172 min read
Thursday Night GMRS Net Recap - Jan. 16, 2026
Every Thursday evening at 7:00 PM MST , our community gathers on the airwaves for our GMRS community net . This weekly forum is a vital space for neighbors to test their equipment, practice radio etiquette, and stay informed through local announcements. In our session this evening, we had 11 check-ins . It was great to hear everyone’s voices as we worked through several critical safety updates for our area. 📢 Key Announcements & Exercises 1. 2026 Evacuation Drill We spent t
pinewoodlakewag
Jan 152 min read
Announcing the 2026 Larimer County Community Mitigation Grant Cycle!
The following message is from Josh Roberts Mitigation Coordinator / EOC Planning Section Chief. Larimer County is officially now accepting applications for the 2026 Community Mitigation Grant (CMG) program. The Community Mitigation Grant program is designed to spark grassroots efforts for mitigation activities. By focusing on the neighborhood scale, this program helps build vital momentum for long-term risk reduction work across our community. Program Details & Eligibilit
pinewoodlakewag
Jan 121 min read
4 Slash Bins, Zero Stress: Wildfire Mitigation Success on Green Mountain Drive
Wildfire preparedness is a community effort, and the residents of Green Mountain Drive recently proved just how effective—and simple—that effort can be. In a fantastic display of neighborhood collaboration, residents banded together to clear hazardous woody debris from their properties, utilizing a valuable resource provided by the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority (LFRA): Community Slash Bins . A Neighborhood Success Story The project was a resounding success. Working together,
pinewoodlakewag
Jan 122 min read
Is Your Fire Extinguisher Ready? The Essential Guide to Recharging and Maintenance
When a fire breaks out, every second counts. You reach for your fire extinguisher, pull the pin, and squeeze the lever—but nothing happens. This is a nightmare scenario that is entirely preventable. According to the safety experts at the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority (LFRA) , ensuring your fire extinguisher is properly serviced and recharged is a critical component of home and business safety. In this post, we’ll break down why recharging is necessary and how to ensure your
pinewoodlakewag
Jan 63 min read
⚠️ High Wind and Fire Weather Alert - Updated ⚠️
This page will be updated as quickly as possible: December 19, 2025 @ unknown - PVREA fixed down line. December 19, 2025 @ 10:42AM MST - Line down from tree at 18E & Skinner Gulch, 1 home impacted, PVREA enroute. December 19, 2025 @ 10:00AM MST - Debris reported on 18E from winds. December 19, 2025 @ 8:00AM MST - Informal GMRS Emergency Net started. D ecember 19, 2025 @ 7:30AM MST - Email sent to neighbors. December 19, 2025 @ 2:17AM MST - High Wind Warning Issued by NWS Denv
pinewoodlakewag
Dec 16, 20253 min read
LFRA Community Slash Bins Available
Wildfire mitigation is crucial for our community. Creating and maintaining "defensible space" around structures is the single most effective action we can take to protect our properties. The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority (LFRA) is now providing us with a new way to get slash out of our community. The Community Slash Bin Program When you thin out dense vegetation, remove dead trees, or clear brush from your property, you are left with a large amount of material (slash) that m
pinewoodlakewag
Nov 25, 20252 min read
LFRA Extended Service Area Town Hall - Nov. 17, 2015
Loveland Fire Rescue Authority (LFRA) Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach recently addressed over 50 members of the Pole Hill and Pinewood Lake communities at a Town Hall, formally welcoming residents to the LFRA Extended Service Area . The presentation detailed the critical reasons behind the expansion, the services residents can expect, and the potential impact on safety and insurance. For a copy of the Power Point Presentation click here . The Critical "Why" Behind the LFRA Expansio
pinewoodlakewag
Nov 19, 20253 min read
Cooler temps and snow will mark return of winter pile burning season
The following news release is from the US Forest Service. FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Nov. 14, 2025) – Fire managers on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests are preparing for pile burning season this winter. Current and forecasted weather conditions may create favorable pile burning conditions over the next several months. Pile burning is a type of prescribed fire that helps remove woody debris from the forests, reducing the potential of more impactful, unplanned fire activ
pinewoodlakewag
Nov 16, 20252 min read
Wildfire Risk Drives Home Insurance Costs Sky-High
A new report from Colorado State University (CSU) confirms what many homeowners already fear: the cost of insuring a home in the Centennial State is soaring, fueled primarily by the increasing threat of wildfires . According to the analysis by CSU’s Regional Economic Development Institute (REDI) , Colorado is now ranked as the sixth-costliest state in the nation for homeowners’ insurance. The steep increase is hitting wallets hard, especially in areas susceptible to fire dan
pinewoodlakewag
Oct 23, 20252 min read
Screening: "Fire Lives Here" Explores the Power of Fire in the Poudre Watershed
Mark your calendars! The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) is excited to host a free public screening of the powerful documentary, "Fire Lives Here." This is more than just a film—it's an intimate look at the forces that shape our beloved Colorado Front Range and a crucial conversation about living with wildfire in our beautiful region. The Film: Fire as a Force of Renewal In the wake of devastating wildfires, it's easy to see fire only as a threat. However, "F
pinewoodlakewag
Oct 14, 20252 min read
Building a Safer Future: Key Takeaways from the Larimer County Hazard Mitigation Webinar
Larimer County recently hosted a public engagement workshop via webinar on October 9th , providing insight into the ongoing update of the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. If you missed the virtual meeting, here are the key takeaways on why this structured planning process is vital for building a more prepared and resilient community. What is Hazard Mitigation and Why Costs Are Rising At its core, Hazard Mitigation is defined as sustained action taken to reduce or
pinewoodlakewag
Oct 13, 20253 min read
Why You Need to Take Lightning Safety Seriously
On our most recent GMRS Community Net, our Net Control discussed a tragic reminder of nature's swift, unforgiving power. Two young, experienced elk hunters, Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko , both 25, were found deceased in the rugged San Juan Wilderness after a lightning strike. Authorities confirmed they were likely killed instantly, found below a tree. This heartbreaking event underscores a vital truth: no outdoor activity is worth risking your life when thunder is near. Whil
pinewoodlakewag
Sep 30, 20254 min read
Stone Mountain Fire
It was 6:41 PM, September 2nd. Angie and I were just about ready to sit down for dinner, when a random photo of mountains shows up on my phone. Looking closer I could see a plume of smoke. I reply, “Where is that?” The response sent chills. Stone Mountain Fire - 6:41PM “Coming home just now, at the end of Pinewood dam, looking NorthWest.” It was just over a year ago, July 18, 2024, several neighborhood Hams, led by Eric R. and Dennis B., installed a GMRS Repeater just North o
pinewoodlakewag
Sep 12, 20253 min read
Bear Activity at Pinewood May Increase as They Start Prepping for Winter
Hi, Neighbors! As the "Bear Aware" contact for Pinewood, I wanted to pass on this information from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPE) about our bear neighbors' habits as the nights get cooler and Fall approaches. Check out the amount of calories those bears will be packing on to make it through the winter (in bold blue text )! I've added some tips I've learned below the information from the CPW, and would love to hear any suggestions you might have! Please reply to me -- I
pinewoodlakewag
Sep 12, 20255 min read
Navigating the State of Insurance in Colorado
The Pinewood Lake Wildfire Action Group (PLWAG) extends a heartfelt thank you to Eric Weedin and Roxane Chagolla from the Weedin Agency in Loveland, for their time and expertise. On August 19th, they met with over 60 neighbors at Belinda's barn, providing a highly informative presentation on the current state of insurance in Colorado. Their clear and detailed answers to numerous questions from community members were invaluable, shedding light on a complex and pressing issu
pinewoodlakewag
Aug 26, 20255 min read
How a GMRS Repeater United Our Community. 1 Year Anniversary!
GMRS Repeater & Antenna Installation July 18, 2024 On July 18, 2024 , the Pinewood Lake community took a significant step toward enhancing our emergency preparedness. With invaluable assistance from several neighborhood HAM radio operators, we successfully installed a GMRS repeater right here in our neighborhood. GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) is a licensed radio service in the US, offering more power and range than typical FRS radios, making it ideal for robust communi
pinewoodlakewag
Jul 23, 20252 min read
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