The fire danger is almost always high all year round. Do not burn anything in an open fire. Most outdoor burning in Larimer County requires a permit signed by both your local fire protection district and the Larimer County Department of Health & Environment – you may apply for a Larimer County Burn Permit online. More information about community initiatives to mitigate fire danger and respond to fire threats is available from the Buckskin Heights Fire Committee website.

The Fire Committee’s Buckskin Heights Wildfire Evacuation Plan provides comprehensive information on preparing for evacuation, evacuation routes and notices, etc. Read it carefully!

You must sign up online with the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority to get automated emergency phone calls in your area. There is no cost to you for this service and the information you enter is protected. You can enter your cell phones, a text device, email address, fax number, or work phone number. In addition, you can sign up to receive an alert at multiple addresses within Larimer County. All residents of Buckskin Heights are encouraged to sign up for LETA service by visiting the Larimer County web site at https://leta911.org/.

The Buckskin Heights Road Association maintains a free online GroupsIO Emergency Notification System hosted at Groups.io that allows us to communicate with one another in emergency situations. To participate, you can register by contacting Sue Weber (315-806-4793 cell) or Justin Wilson, both at Co-Chairs Michael Lowe (970-342-8864) or Rick Stahl (303-910-4331), both at [email protected]. For more information about how to use the GroupsIO system, download and print the GroupsIO Communication Guide.

After the enactment of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) in 2003, fire mitigation funding was made available to communities like Buckskin Heights that prepared a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Our CWPP was produced in 2006 and updated in 2017, and addresses issues of wildfire response, hazard mitigation, community preparedness, and structure protection. It clarified and refined our priorities for the protection of life, property, and critical infrastructure in the wildland urban interface. It continues to guide our community through valuable discussions regarding management options and implications for the surrounding watershed.

Our Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) has many specific valuable suggestions. The Fire Committee also has resources designed to help you mitigate fire danger on your property.

Get involved in the Fire Committee! Its members organize neighborhood fire mitigation activities, provide consulting to property owners to create defensible spaces and other services, and welcome new members at any time. For more information, contact Fire Committee Co-Chairs Michael Lowe (970-342-8864) or Rick Stahl (303-910-4331), both at [email protected].

The annual Colorado State Forest Service’s “Report on the Health of Colorado’s Forests” provides current information about the life history, prevention and control of various tree pests.