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

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