Crystal Lakes Fire Protection District -- The Community -- Ask the Fire Chief

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By submitting this form, you give the Crystal Lakes Volunteer Fire Department permission to post your question anonymously to its webpage if the question is considered to be of general interest by members of CLVFD.

What is the Crystal Lakes insurance rating?
The Crystal Lakes insurance (ISO) rating is nine.

How do I know if there is a fire ban on?
Fire Ban notices will be posted in several places throughout Crystal Lakes on large white boards with red lettering which say "NO OPEN FIRES." If there is a fire ban, information on the ban will also be posted on this website on the Fire Ban page. The fire ban will also be noted in red on the Home and Community pages.

What kinds of fire bans are there?
Crystal Lakes fire ban -- The Crystal Lakes Road and Recreation Board, upon the advice of the Crystal Lakes Fire Chief, may establish a fire ban in the Crystal Lakes subdivision as a necessary precaution based on current conditions. This decision takes into account the weather, drought conditions, and other fire-danger signs specific to the Crystal Lakes Area (much of this information is available from links on the Local Area Fire Information page). Crystal Lakes fire danger may not be the same as in the rest of the county, and may not match the fire danger in Glacier View or Roosevelt National Forest -- different conditions exist in each location. The ban instated by the Board is on burning in Crystal Lakes only, and contravention of the ban may result in a visit from the fire dept (to extinguish the fire) and possible fines levied by the Association.
County-wide fire ban -- Larimer county has the authority to instate fire restrictions of various levels, from a complete ban, in which no fires of any sort are allowed, to bans of any open flame that cannot be switched off, and so forth. County-wide fire bans apply to all areas of the county, including Crystal Lakes. Contravention of a county-wide fire ban may result in the same consequences as a Crystal Lakes ban, plus additional fines and possibly legal action by the county.

How do I join the fire department?
Congratulations for thinking about volunteering! See our We Need You! page for information on volunteering to become a firefighter or member of the auxiliary.

How can I find out what fires are burning in the area?
The U.S. Forest Service and Larmier County have websites and information lines on fires in the area. See our page on Local Area Fire Information for how to access this information.

Where can I dispose of ashes from my fireplace?
There is an ash can in the trash compactor enclosure (map) where you may dispose of your ashes. Please DO NOT dump ashes near ANY flammable material, even if you think they're cold.

How can I get rid of branches and other organic debris resulting from fire mitigation on my property?
You may remove such debris, known as slash, to the slash pile on Tiny Bob Road (if you do not know where it is, please call the Association office at 881-2250 for more information). Branches, leaves, limbs, etc are permitted, but stumps are not. (Neither is construction debris or any other form of trash.) Or you may choose to chip your slash and spread it over your property. Chips may not be larger than 2 inches, and will decompose back into the soil most effectively if they're less than 1 inch.

Where do I find fire pit specifications?
Crystal Lakes Road & Recreation Association sets and supervises fire pit requirements for the Crystal Lakes area. For specifications and inspections, contact the CL R&R through their website or by calling the office at (970) 881-2250.