Official site
Buckskin Heights Fire Committee
The Buckskin Heights Fire Committee is a volunteer group, independent of the road association, that coordinates the fire mitigation and response efforts of resident owners in the Buckskin Heights community, as well as providing valuable sources of “Living in the mountains” practical information.
What Is the Buckskin Heights Fire Committee
The Buckskin Heights Fire Committee is a neighborhood volunteer group that coordinates the fire mitigation and response efforts of property owners in the Buckskin Heights community. It organize’s operates, and produces the documents linked on this page independently of the Buckskin Heights Road Association. However, the two groups work together, when possible, to promote the health, civic and general welfare of the community.
Contact either Fire Committee Chair:
Michael Lowe (970-342-8864, rangerpedrick@yahoo.com) or Rick Stahl (303-910-4331, Rick_Stahl@msn.com) for more information about the committee.
What is our Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
The Buckskin Heights Fire Committee maintains our Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) this plan is in the process of being reviewed and rewritten to reflect the changes needed since the Cameron Peak fire of 2020. Although outdated,(last revision was 2017), it still offers some pertinent information. 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.
Buckskinheights Evacuation Plan
The Wildfire Evacuation Plan, is also being reviewed as it has not been updated since 2014.
How can I help fire mitigation efforts in Buckskin Heights?
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, We welcome new members at any time. Contact Fire Committee Chair Michael Lowe (970-342-8864, rangerpedrick@yahoo.com) or Rick Stahl (303-910-4331) for more information
Preparing for an evacuation
If residents are alerted to a possible evacuation order, the following preparations are advised. How much you can accomplish is dependent upon time constraints with the safety of the residents being the deciding factor.
Delays in evacuation may impede emergency vehicles traveling the roads. Good judgment and following
the instructions of emergency personnel should be exercised:
Back your car into the garage or park in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave a second set of keys in the ignition. Place your valuables in the car ahead of time.
Confine pets to one room so they will be readily available when the time comes to evacuate. Make plans ahead of time to care for your pets in case you must evacuate. Contact the local kennels, animal shelters, friends, etc.
Close windows, vents, Venetian blinds or non-combustible window coverings and heavy drapes. Be sure to remove any combustible materials from near the windows to prevent radiant heat from igniting them.
Close all interior doors to confine drafts and prevent a fire from moving inside the structure.
Shut off propane. Turn off pilot lights.
Move flammable furniture into center of the home away from windows and sliding-glass doors.
Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home in heavy smoke. Be sure to turn on the outside porch light as well. This will help firefighters to find your house in low visibility conditions.
Seal attic and ground vents with precut plywood or commercial seals.
Remove gas grills from decks and patios, place propane tanks in garage.
Place combustible patio furniture inside.
Place a non-combustible ladder on house for access to roof for firefighters.
Remove firewood or any other stored combustibles near your home.
Connect garden hoses. Fill pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs or other large containers with water.
Disconnect any automatic garage door openers so that doors can still be opened by hand if the power goes out. Close all garage doors.
Don’t lock up. Leave doors and windows closed but unlocked. It may be necessary for firefighters to gain quick entry into your home to fight fire. The entire area will be isolated and patrolled by sheriff’s
deputies or police.
How can I mitigate fire danger on my property?
Our Resources page*** under construction*** has many specific valuable suggestions. You may also contact a member of the Fire Committee to arrange an appointment to prioritize the most important steps to take.
How can I sign up to get a reverse 911 call in an emergency?
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 www.leta911.org
How can I communicate with neighbors in an emergency?
The Fire Committee and the Buckskin Heights Road Association maintain a free online GroupsIO Emergency Notification System hosted at Groups.io that allows us to communicate with one another in daily and emergency situations. To participate, you can register by going to: https://groups.io/g/buckskinheights and scroll down to “Join Group”. For more information about how to use the GroupsIO system, download and print the GroupsIO Communication Guide.
Burn Permits.
Do not burn anything in an open fire. Most outdoor burning in Larimer County, even in a barrel, requires a permit signed by both your local fire protection district and the Larimer County Department of Health & Environment.
How do I get the fire committee to look at my property
Just contact one of the chairmen to schedule a time to discuss what it is you need. The chairperson will then schedule an on-site visit.
Buckskin Heights Fire Committee 