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

Back on August 26, several neighborhoods voted to be added in the LFRA Inclusion zone, to provide additional financial support, through taxes, to our local fire departments. A condition of that approval was that we would not be subject to taxing until 2026. However, many astute neighbors noticed that their 2025 tax bill were revised to include the assessment for the previous tax year. Below is a statement from the LRFPD ensuring that this error will be corrected: “… the prope

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

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

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

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

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

November 17, 2025: 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" Behin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wildfires are an increasingly devastating threat, particularly in communities like Pinewood Lake, where human development meets wildland vegetation. As these fires grow in intensity and frequency, ensuring community safety becomes paramount. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is at the forefront of this challenge, developing crucial guidance, methodologies, and research to protect lives and property. Let's explore some of their vital work. ESCAPE: Guidi

Help Build a More Resilient Larimer County! Larimer County is no stranger to challenges, and building a strong, prepared community is key to navigating future uncertainties. That's why the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has launched its 2025 Community Resilience Survey, and they need your input! Take the Larimer County Community Resilience Survey today! Larimer County Resilience Survey This vital survey is designed to gather community perspectives on what