The Fourth of July is a time for celebration, but in our beautiful mountain community, it's crucial to remember the serious hazards that fireworks pose, particularly concerning wildfires. Below are some tips on being safe, rules for fireworks in Larimer County and public places where you can celebrate safely. The Dangers of Fireworks in our Mountain Community The dry conditions prevalent in mountainous terrain during the summer months create an extreme fire risk. Even seeming

Welcome to the final week of Wildfire Awareness Month! We've covered understanding our risk, preparing our homes and families, and the power of community action. This week, we're focusing on something incredibly important: the actions each and every one of us can take to prevent wildfires from starting in the first place. Remember, a significant number of wildfires are human-caused, meaning they are preventable. Let's all be responsible and become spark stoppers! Outdoor Act

Welcome back to Wildfire Awareness Month! For the past two weeks, we've focused on understanding individual risk and preparing our homes and families. This week, we're shifting our focus outward to the power of collective action: community actions to prepare for wildfire . Wildfire preparedness isn't just an individual responsibility; it's a community-wide effort that can significantly enhance our overall safety and resilience. Why Community Preparedness Matters Wildfires don

Check out the YouTube recording on Firewise Landscaping and Managing Your Defensible Space , hosted by our neighbor, Kathy Maher: In this presentation, Kevin Lyles , a Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist , shares his expertise on creating fire-resilient properties. With over 25 years of experience as a professional landscape architect, Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge from designing open spaces, parks, trails, and native landscapes. In 2023, he further applied his pass

Living amidst the breathtaking beauty of our mountain community comes with a unique set of challenges, particularly when it comes to natural disasters. Fire, floods, and other emergencies can strike with little warning, and while individual preparedness is crucial, the strength of our community lies in our ability to support one another. That's where the power of a "Buddy System" comes in. Imagine a network of neighbors – your trusted "buddies" – who you can rely on and who

Welcome back to Wildfire Awareness Month! Last week, we emphasized the importance of knowing your risk. This week, we're moving on to the crucial next step: preparing your home and family for wildfire . Taking proactive steps now can significantly increase your chances of safety and minimize damage. Protecting Your Home: Creating Defensible Space Defensible space is the buffer zone around your home that you clear of vegetation and flammable materials. This space can slow or s

Welcome back to our series on Wildfire Awareness Month! This week, we're tackling the essential first step in protecting your home and community: knowing your risk . Living in Colorado, we're surrounded by stunning landscapes, but those same forests and grasslands can also pose a wildfire threat. Understanding the specific risks in your area is crucial for making informed decisions and taking effective action. What Factors Influence Wildfire Risk? Several factors contribute t

The air is getting warmer, the snow is melting in the high country, and with that familiar shift in seasons comes a stark reminder for all of us in Colorado: wildfire season is approaching. That's why May is officially Wildfire Awareness Month here in our beautiful, yet fire-prone, state. This isn't just another month on the calendar; it's a crucial time for all of us – homeowners, renters, outdoor enthusiasts, and entire communities – to take proactive steps to protect what

A well-attended emergency preparedness event, 'How to Prepare for Everything,' empowered 24 community members this past Saturday, April 26th, at the Bison Room within the Natural Resources Administration Building, near Flatiron Reservoir. The training was expertly guided by Camille Millard, the experienced Preparedness and Resiliency Coordinator with the Larimer County Emergency Management Office The training drew upon the principles outlined in Aaron Titus's book, How to Pre

The Pinewood Lake Wildfire Action Group is working with the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management to present a free " How to Prepare for Everything " class on Saturday, April 26. We are offering free breakfast burritos and sub sandwiches that day, as well as a chance to learn more about preparing (or updating) your Go Bag, communicating with neighbors in an emergency, and asking emergency professionals any questions you might have about what they do to help us duri

On Thursday, April 3 at 1PM, neighbors took to the airwaves for a coordinated emergency communications exercise with the Colorado ARES and Larimer County's Office of Emergency Management . Ham Radio operators were positioned at the Larimer County Emergency Operations Center in Johnstown, Loveland Library, Big Elk Meadows, Berthoud, Estes Park and several other neighborhoods, including our Pinewood Lake. During a Zoom Call introduction the following emergency scenerio was pre

LFRA is hosting a Wildfire Community Education Day on May 31st from 11-2. This will be located at our Fire Station 7, 2629 N County Road 27. Please save the Date! This is a drop-in event sponsored by the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, with booths and a display of fire-fighting equipment. So far, the line-up includes these wildfire partners: Larimer County's Office of Emergency Management, Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Natural Resources Thompson Valley EMS Estes Vall

Last year, the Pinewood Lake Wildfire Action Group asked the Larimer County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) if it was possible to investigate other possible evacuation routes for residents to use, in case we could not get out using County Road 18E. We are happy to share that an emergency evacuation route to the south has been approved. It is navigable by car or by a vehicle pulling a horse trailer, but ONLY if evacuees are directed there by the Sheriff's officers. This route crosses