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

UPDATE: LRFA Inclusion Unofficial Inclusion Election Results https://lfra.org/404/LRFPD-2025-Inclusion-Election-Informatio UPDATE: Upcoming Inclusion Election for Loveland Rural Fire Protection District Webpage: https://lfra.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=24 The Loveland Rural Fire Protection District Board voted unanimously on June 11, 2025 to hold an election to include four Larimer County areas in the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority’s (LFRA) boundaries. Residents of Pinewood, Sto

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

Navigating Colorado Home Insurance: Key Takeaways from the United Policyholders Webinar For many Colorado residents, understanding and securing home insurance has become a complex challenge. United Policyholders, a non-profit organization dedicated to informing and empowering insurance consumers, recently hosted a crucial webinar: the "Colorado Home Insurance Shopping Help Webinar." This presentation offered valuable insights and practical advice for navigating the state's ev

We want to welcome Jim, the new Pinewood Lake Camp Host. Jim owned a local Nursery for many years and recently retired. His role is to ensure campers are in the right spots, campsites are neat and orderly, manage day-use traffic, and request rangers for rule enforcement and emergency response. Jim will be with us through at least Labor Day Weekend and he does have a GMRS radio so hopefully we will catch him on a Thursday night check-in. One additional update: the Rangers will

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

In 2026, we can celebrate the 50th anniversary of the name change of our beautiful community from Rattlesnake Lake to Pinewood Reservoir, but the namesake snakes are still around. Here's a great article, with videos, on how to be safe around them! Snake Safety on Colorado Trails: Rattlesnake Season Guide Know Your Snakes: Venomous Species in Colorado Where You’ll Most Likely See Snakes on the Trail Where Rattlesnakes Like to Hang Out in Colorado When Is Rattlesnake Season? W

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

The Chimney Hollow Reservoir Project has several scheduled tour dates. Space is limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Each person must register individually to save a spot. Once the tour is full, the registration page will indicate that the tour is full, but you may join the waitlist. Monday, May 12, 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 9-11:30 a.m. Tours will continue through October, so stay on the look out for upcoming d

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

The Pinewood Lake Wildfire Action Group, in partnership with Loveland Fire Rescue Authority (LFRA), successfully hosted 2 Slash Drop-Off Days, Sunday April 6 & Sunday April 13. 15 neighbors participated, dropping off 34 truckloads of slash and 14 bags of yard waste . We want to thank all those who participated, especially the volunteers at the site and helped neighbors haul away slash. Our goal is to do 2 Slash events a year, one in the Fall and Spring, so please make sure y

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

Chief Sendelbach of the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority (LFRA) has provided an update on the inclusion process, outlining the steps and timeline for potentially expanding the LFRA service area. While Chief Sendelbach shared a comprehensive calendar, we've distilled the key dates into an easy-to-follow timeline so you can stay informed: Here's what you need to know: April 9 , the Fire District Board approved the inclusion areas, and set June 11 as the public-hearing date to dis

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

We're thrilled to announce some fantastic news for the community! The Pinewood Road Association (PRA) has successfully secured a $9,500 grant  from the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management to bolster wildfire mitigation efforts within our community. This funding will specifically benefit residents of Green Mountain Drive. The grant will directly address the critical need for slash removal. Residents will be able to place trimmed vegetation along the roadside, and the