Recovery Resources for Residents Impacted by 2020 Larimer County Wildfires & 2021 Flooding
Larimer County conducted a detailed risk assessment of the post-fire impacts of the Cameron Peak Fire area and downstream communities to better inform future mitigation actions.
Recovery resources for those impacted with property damage or loss due to the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome wildfires of 2020 and the 2021 flooding in the burn scar areas.
Upcoming Community Recovery Meetings & Events:
These meetings are conducted virtually unless otherwise indicated.
Wildfire Community Recovery meetings have been discontinued for the winter. These meetings will be hosted again in the Spring when work begins if requested.
Black Hollow Imminent Danger Warning
Flood Ready Larimer County Guide - English
Listo Para Inundaciones Guía - En Español
Burn-Scar Flood Preparedness Webinar - Recorded May 14, 2021
Online Resources:
- Flood After Fire Risks Flyer
- NWS Flash Flood Facts
- Post Wildfire Flash Flood & Debris Flow Guide (NWS)
- After Wildfires, Your Flood Risk Goes Up (FEMA)
- Después de un incendio forestal, el riesgo de inundación aumental (FEMA)
- FEMA's Flood Insurance page
- State of Colorado Flood after Fire page
- To stay up-to-date with the daily potential for rainfall and flooding, follow the Colorado Flood Threat Bulletin and the Boulder NWS
Soil Erosion & Vegetative Recovery Resources:
- List of Forestry Contractors from the Colorado State Forest Service
- Post-Fire Land Rehabilitation FAQ
- CSU Extension, Soil Erosion Control After a Wildfire
- Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), Vegetative Recovery After a Wildfire+
- CSFS, Determine the Amount of Fire Injury Which Will Kill a Ponderosa or Lodgepole Pine
- CSFS, Determine the Amount of Fire Injury Which Will Kill a Douglas Fir
- Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), Replanting in Burn Areas: Tips for Safety and Success
- Planting Seedling Trees after Wildfire from CSU Extension
Local 2-1-1 resource guide (updated 8/23/2020):
American Red Cross Resource Page
Larimer County CSU Extension Wildfire Resources Page
Returning Home & Recovering after a Wildfire
- Tips for Safety and Success from the Colorado State Forest Service
- Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still exist, including falling trees, ash and other hazards.
- Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles and downed wires.
- Watch for ash pits and mark them for safety—warn family and neighbors to keep clear of the pits also.
- Follow public health guidance on safe cleanup of fire ash and safe use of masks.
- Wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.
- Wear leather gloves and heavy soled shoes to protect hands and feet.
- Cleaning products, paint, batteries and damaged fuel containers need to be disposed of properly to avoid risk.
It is ok to be anxious and scared right now. Those feelings are normal and you are not alone. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out!
- Summitstone Connections hotline: 970-221-5551
- Summitstone Health Partners - Crisis line 970-494-4200
- Colorado Spirit Office Line - 970-494-9941
- Colorado Help Line: 303-928-8534
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- Text talkwithus to 66746 to reach the Disaster Distress Helpline
Who is most at risk for emotional distress following a wildfire?
- Children and teens. After a wildfire, young people may worry that another one will happen again, especially if they witnessed the fire and the loss of their home. Some children may become withdrawn, while others may become agitated and irritable and display outbursts of anger.
- Older adults. Older adults are more likely to need social support to reduce the effects of stress and move forward on the path of recovery. They also may have limited physical mobility and lack independence.
- First responders and recovery workers. These individuals may experience prolonged separation from loved ones (depending on the severity of the wildfire) and show signs of mental fatigue.
Online resources:
- Emotional Awareness After a Natural Disaster (SummitStone)
- Wildfires at the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- About Emotional Recovery – available in multiple languages (American Red Cross)
- What You May Be Feeling
- Actions You Can Take
- If You Still Don’t Feel Better
- 10 Tips for Talking with Kids about Wildfires (Children’s Hospital CO)
- Coping with Natural Disasters (CSU Extension)
- Dealing With Our Anger (CSU Extension)
- Managing Stress During Tough Times (CSU Extension)
- Resources for Depression (CSU Extension)
- Three Questions and Answers Related to Wildfires and Stress (CSU Extension)
- Transitions and Changes: Practical Strategies (CSU Extension)
- Transitions and Changes: Who Copes Well? (CSU Extension)
Ensure your food and water are safe
- Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
- Do NOT ever use water that you think may be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.
Online Resources:
Protecting Against Asbestos Exposure in a Natural Disaster
Food Safety
Power outage:
- If Your Freezer Stops (CSU Extension)
- Returning to Your Home Kitchen After a Wildfire Evacuation (CSU Extension)
Water Safety
- Wells and Wastewater After a Fire
- Use of Wells and Septic Systems Following a Wildfire by CSU Extension
- Impacts of Wildfire on Water Resources
- Use of Wells and Septic Systems Following a Wildfire
Animals
Safe Handling of Ash & Debris
Larimer County and our partners, including but not limited to, The City of Fort Collins, The City of Greeley, The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, The Big Thompson Watershed Coalition, and others, may be able to secure funding to assist private property owners in mitigating these threats through erosion control measures. In order to conduct this work, permission must be granted from each individual property owner.
Please take a few minutes to read the linked electronic Right of Entry form which describes what work may be done on your property. If willing, please fill out and sign the form giving our partners and us the necessary permission to do work on your property.
Note: Filling out the form does not guarantee work will be done on your property. Larimer County is prioritizing high-risk areas first and will complete projects as funding is available and projects are feasible.
https://forms.gle/haB1idjVxpPS4N9t9
Roll-off Dumpsters will be available again this Spring!
The County will be providing several complimentary debris dumpsters for properties impacted by the fires this spring once weather improves.
As all debris coming out of the Cameron Peak Fire area is considered contaminated by asbestos and is more costly to dump at the Larimer County Landfill, this free service will hopefully benefit fire survivors during this difficult time. We will also offer free metal recycling locations during this time too.
More information will be available in April on locations and timelines.
All debris collected from properties will be properly contained within the dumpsters by our vendors for landfill placement. Please be a good neighbor and only take fire impacted debris to the free dumpsters. Thank you for your consideration!
Thank you to our vendors, Colorado Iron and Metal and Gallegos Sanitation.
Questions? Please contact Kohl Parrott, Emergency Management Coordinator, Larimer County Office of Emergency Management
Work: 970-498-7146
Cell: 970-481-3493
parrotck@co.larimer.co.us
Community Clean-Up Days:
- Some communities are organizing community clean-up days. This is a great idea and allows communities to work together and get a lot done in a short amount of time.
- Community clean-up days also allow our volunteer agencies to coordinate their efforts as well.
- If any of you have something like this planned, please let us know so that we can see what support can be provided in those areas and get it on the website.
Disposal Forms & Landfill Information
The Larimer County Landfill will only accept fire debris from November 16, 2020, through July 30, 2021. ALL FIRE DEBRIS MUST BE HANDLED AS IF IT CONTAINS FRIABLE ASBESTOS.
- Cameron Peak Fire Disposal Notification Form
- Debris Guidance from Colorado Department of Public Health
- Disposal of Fire Debris at County Landfill
- Hazardous materials such as kitchen and bathroom cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel, and damaged fuel containers need to be properly handled to avoid risk. Check with local authorities for hazardous disposal assistance.
- If you have a propane tank system, contact a propane supplier. Turn off valves on the system, and leave valves closed until the supplier inspects your system.
- If you have a heating oil tank system, contact a heating oil supplier for an inspection of your system before using.
Other Online Resources:
Rebuilding and repairing structures damaged by fire can be a daunting process. Please do not hesitate to contact the Community Development Department at (970) 498-7670.
Online Resources
- Rebuilding and Repairing Structures Damaged/Destroyed in the Cameron Peak Fire
- Temporary Emergency Housing Units
- Rebuilding Structures in a Regulated Floodplain
- List of professionally licensed engineers and surveyors with rebuilding experience in Larimer County
Building Permit Fee Reduction
Through the United Policyholders Roadmap to Recovery program you can access free, trustworthy help navigating the process of returning to a wildfire damaged area, repairing and replacing damaged and destroyed property, and collecting all available insurance funds.
If your property is damaged or destroyed, their guidance will help you get started on the road to recovery, make good decisions and keep moving forward. United Policyholders is non-profit and has expertise based on nearly three decades of assisting in communities hit by wildfires. No strings attached.
The following are selected items from the extensive library of resources they offer. Through their Roadmap to Recovery program you can access tips, tools and the straight scoop on insurance, clean up, contractors, lawyers, adjusters, avoiding ripoffs and mistakes, your legal rights and emotional support from people who genuinely care about helping you navigate successfully.
Virtual Workshops from United Policy Holders
United Policyholders
REGISTER FOR UPCOMING EVENTS: www.uphelp.org/r2r
- Q&A on Financial Decision-making and Tax Implications After a Wildfire March 24, 2021, 5:30 PM MT
Insurance Information
- Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association
- United Policyholders
- Colorado Division of Insurance Contact Information Colorado Division of Insurance Contact Information
Property Assessment Information
- Larimer County Assessor's page
- What's the Assessor's Procedure and Property Owners Guide To Reimbursements?
Online Resources
- Restore Your Financial Well-Being
- Important Documents Checklist
Replacing Vital Documents - Wildfire Insurance 101
- Recovering Financially
- Insurance for Wildfires
Cash donations are always preferred so that we can meet the specific needs of the affected people. Cash donations can be sent to the United Way Larimer Fire Fund at uwaylc.org.
Other Ways to Donate:
- Please consider donating to the American Red Cross of Northern Colorado. The Red Cross is spending thousands of dollars daily to shelter residents of Larimer County safely.
- NOCO Humane has sheltered hundreds of companion and small animals throughout the course of the Cameron Peak Fire and continues to do so today. Please consider donating to them at https://register.nocohumane.org/give/234539/#!/donation/checkout
- Disaster response would be impossible without the help of our local Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD). By donating to any of these organizations, you contribute to disaster response and recovery in northern Colorado.
Volunteers:
- Sign up for future Cameron Peak Fire recovery volunteer projects at www.nocovolunteers.org. Opportunities will be posted once projects are created.
Library Resources
The Larimer County Libraries (Estes, Red Feather, Ft. Collins, Berthoud and Loveland) are ready and willing to provide access to technology, books, DVDs, craft kits as well as their buildings to support those displaced by the fires. They are able to take resources to evacuees sheltering in hotels. The library buildings are open and residents impacted by the fire are welcome to come in to use the computers, check out materials, take activity kits or just hang out with their kids.
Virtual Workshops from United Policy Holders
United Policyholders
REGISTER FOR UPCOMING EVENTS: www.uphelp.org/r2r
- Q&A on Financial Decision-making and Tax Implications After a Wildfire March 24, 2021, 5:30 PM MT
Citizen Science Webinar
Hosted by The Coalition for Poudre River Watershed on March 21 from 5-6pm
To register: go to: bit.ly/CitSci2021
Interested in helping with Cameron Peak Fire recovery efforts and post-fire monitoring and data collection? Join us for an informative webinar about citizen science programs that are actively recruiting volunteers in and downstream of the Cameron Peak Fire burn area. Panelists will provide information about how you can become involved in post-fire recovery efforts by sharing and contributing to data monitoring and collection programs.
Please see below for recordings of wildfire recovery community meetings as they are available
General CPF Community Recovery Meetings
Crystal Mountain & Crystal Park
Monument Gulch
Rustic/Poudre City
Glen Haven & The Retreat
Larimer County is healing from months of historic wildfires. From the Cameron Peak Fire to the East Troublesome Fire, our area has suffered from more than 100 days of fire starting in August 2020. The Larimer County Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) is formed and working with Larimer County officials to rebuild, recover, and repair. The LTRG, utilizing skilled case managers, identifies and assists fire survivors who do not have adequate personal resources for basic needs and recovery. Our trained disaster case managers are here to listen, and to help create a personal actual plan to guide your family towards recovery.
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Larimer County Residents:
(970) 232-1150 or LarimerFires2020@lfsrm.org
Photo courtesy of Tracy Hines, Larimer County
Here are a few examples of what your disaster case manager can do for you:
- Identify your unmet needs
- Establish a personal recovery plan
- Locate services and funding resources
- Assist with rehabilitation, housing, and construction projects
- Client advocacy
- Schedule volunteer labor
The Larimer County Long-Term Recovery Unmet Needs Fund will be used specifically for long-term recovery needs of Larimer Count residents affected by the 2020 Larimer County wildfires. United Way of Larimer County is serving as the fiscal agent for the Fund. Requests for funding must go through our disaster management process.
To be eligible for assistance, residents must have suffered losses due to the Larimer County fires in the second half of 2020. Residents must meet with the LTRG disaster case managers, who will assess situations, identify resources, and refer residents to possible sources of assistance, including funds available from the LTRG.
The LTRG is governed by an Executive Committee made up of community leaders.