Big Elk VFD

08/28/2026

Helicopter on scene may be coming to Big Elk to dip from the lakes

Please stay clear

08/28/2026

We have a small wildland fire, no concern for Big Elk at this point

08/08/2026

We are putting together firewood as a fundraiser for the fire department
If you have time and would like to help out, we need volunteers to split wood. It’s all set up. All you have to do is show up and lift heavy logs. 

07/26/2026

Some of our firefighters are raising money for the Big Elk VFD by processing fire wood. Not only are they donating their time but they are using their personal vehicles, trailers, chainsaws, and fuel as well. It’s being processed in multiple locations. Some of it is chopped, split and loaded down by the gate to the shooting range, but mostly they do it at their homes in Estes, Pinewood and Hygiene.
A bi-product of this is leftover slash. Instead of paying to dispose of it they sometimes bring it to the Big Elk slash pile. So, don’t be surprised if you see a trailer coming in from outside the community - it may be one of them. You can imagine how disheartening it is for them to do all this work and then get hassled when they dump the slash.
We appreciate the BEMA board for their support of these and many more Fire Department activities.
We unfortunately broke the axle on one firefighter’s trailer. A big thank you to Tori and Bobby who have purchased and donated a heavy-duty military dump trailer to help the firefighters handle this material. See photo in the comments.

Send a message to learn more

07/09/2026

U.S. Wildland Fire Service - Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit, Rifle Interagency Helitack
Rifle, Colorado

Firefighters from the Rifle Interagency and Pittman Valley Helitack Crews were involved in a burnover event while responding to initial attack fires in the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit (UCR). Helitack Crewmember Sydney Watson, along with Helitack Squad Leader Emily Barker (U.S. Forest Service – UCR) and Helitack Crewmember Nicholas Hutcherson (U.S. Forest Service – Kaibab National Forest), did not survive the burnover.

Age: 27

S*x: Female

Classification: Wildland Full-Time

Years of service: 7

Date of incident: June 27, 2026

Date of death: June 27, 2026

07/09/2026

When the tones go off, you never know what the emergency will be. It’s great to know that you have partners like Pinewood Springs Fire Protection District, Boulder County Sheriff's Office, and Estes Park Health Paramedics to help accomplish the task.
The Banner Health med transfer team was also rock solid.

07/03/2026

Please don’t shoot off any fireworks in Big Elk

06/30/2026

Information from Larimer County

Wildfire and Weather Updates

As you all are aware, multiple high-profile wildfires are currently burning in Colorado and surrounding Western states. This email provides a quick update on the most significant of the fires, as well as information about burn restrictions and upcoming 4th of July weather.

Wildfires in order of highest impact as of 6/30/2026

Aspen Acres Fire – 22,827 acres, 0% containment. Evacuations are in place for both Pueblo and Custer Counties, confirmed structure loss in the area of Beulah. The entire community of Beulah is under mandatory evacuation for the fire until further notice. Working with DHSEM and DOLA on activating a Disaster Assistance Center in the coming days. A CO Type 3 IMT assumed management of the fire yesterday. Governor has verbally declared a disaster emergency.

Snyder Fire – 30,208 acres, 0% containment. Evacuations in place for Mesa and Grand Counties. Utah also impacted. The Snyder Fire merged with the Jones Fire and subsequently overtook the Knowles and Gore fires. All fire activity is now being managed and reported as the Snyder Fire. The Knowles fire is where three federal firefighters were killed this past weekend. The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred.

Gold Mountain – 8,276 acres, 0% containment. This fire is located near County Road 14 in Ouray County. Evacuation orders are in place.

Ferris Fire - 19,613 acres, 0% containment. Along Lone Dome Road impacting Montezuma and Dolores Counties. Evacuation orders in place.

Willow Fire – 1,919 acres, 0% containment. 2 miles Northwest of the Leadville Fish Hatchery in Lake County. Evacuation Orders in Place.

Fire Restrictions

Larimer County: On recommendation by the Larimer County Sheriff, the Board of Larimer County Commissioners voted 3- 0 on May 26th to extend fire restrictions in unincorporated Larimer County. Despite recent precipitation, the danger of wildfire, forest, and grass fires remains extremely high due to above-normal temperatures, extended drought, and persistently windy, dry conditions. Current fire restrictions were adopted on May 6, 2026 for the unincorporated portions of Larimer County. The restrictions will stay in effect until 11:59 p.m., July 21, 2026. This restriction includes limitations on combustible devices and incendiary devices.

The fire restriction is in effect for all climate zones in unincorporated Larimer County. In order to address fire risk while still accounting for different climate areas, Larimer County has implemented a zoned approach. The county is divided into three zones: below 6,000 feet; 6,000–9,000 feet; and above 9,000 feet. View a real-time, interactive map of the area here: https://aegis.larimer.gov/

United State Forest Service: The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland, Canyon Lakes Ranger District implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on June 22, 2026. This includes the entirety of the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. A map identifying the area is attached. This Order is in effect from June 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM through December 31, 2026 at 12:01 AM, unless rescinded. For a digital version of this Order and the area map, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/arp/alerts.

National Park Service: Due to very high fire danger, the extended weather forecast, and current fire activity in the State of Colorado, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are now in effect within Rocky Mountain National Park. When Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect, this means that all campfires, including charcoal briquette fires are not permitted anywhere within Rocky Mountain National Park. This fire ban is effective beginning June 29th, and will remain in effect until further notice. Smoking is also prohibited inside the park, except within an enclosed vehicle, or stopped within a developed paved area devoid of vegetation for at least three feet. Fireworks are always prohibited within the Park. For more information, go to: https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/fire-information-and-regulations.htm.

Weather

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the NWS for Larimer County above 9,000 feet from noon today to 2100 hours this evening. A warm and dry airmass will coincide with gusty west and southwest winds today. Sustained winds are expected to be 15 to 25 mph across much of the high country with gusts up to 40 mph, strongest for exposed areas and higher elevations. These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area. Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions.

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06/28/2026

BEAVER, Utah — Three firefighters were killed and two sustained burn injuries when they were overcome by flames from fast-moving wildfires in hot, windy conditions near the Colorado-Utah border.

The firefighters deployed emergency shelters for themselves during the burnover incident — which occurs when a fire spreads and closes off all escape routes — on Saturday in Mesa County, Colorado, the U.S. Interior Department said.

They worked for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service and were part of an interagency response to the Knowles and Gore fires, which merged with other fires to form the Snyder Fire.

06/22/2026

The Fire wise team now has another heavy duty, wood splitter ready to work.
At least flat or can stand up for larger bigger rounds

If you’d like to borrow it, contact Collin or Bobby. It’s hooked up and ready to roll.