Larimer County Engineering and the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management have been working with the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) after the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire to facilitate installation of resiliency projects throughout the Cameron Peak Fire burn area. Initial studies have shown that many communities and roadway infrastructure are at increased risk of post-fire flooding.
In 2021, Larimer County conducted several refined analyses of the post-fire flooding in order to determine properties which are most at-risk. Post-fire flooding can include a combination of higher velocities, deeper flows, and/or additional sediment, such as ash or woody debris. One of the most significant causes of post-wildfire effects is the removal of the protective vegetative layer, resulting in a more rapid and higher volume runoff. This can also erode streambanks more quickly which then transports more sediment and debris downstream.
Wildfires can also inhibit water infiltration into the soil, resulting in larger runoff volumes because the soil becomes hydrophobic and water can sheet-flow over the surface. Channel and structure protection, such as flood barrier bags, sandbags, channel armoring, and other resiliency measures can reduce the impacts of any flooding and potentially divert the water and debris away from infrastructure and homes.
Based on the initial inundation mapping, several communities have been identified as being higher at-risk. We will be updating this webpage with the flood mapping in the coming weeks; please keep checking back for the latest information.
For those that live in The Retreat neighborhood, an existing webpage has been setup for roadway and channel improvement updates: The Retreat. A preliminary post-fire flood risk map has been prepared for The Retreat area.
For those that live in the Rustic area, Sevenmile Creek (CR 69), Lazy D Ranch (CR 63E/Pingree Park Road), Upper Buckhorn (CR 44H) and the Lower Buckhorn (CR 27) - the following post-fire flood risk maps have been prepared for the different areas.
Lazy D Ranch (CR 63E/Pingree Park Road)
Upper Buckhorn (CR 44H) and Lower Buckhorn (CR 27)
For questions or comments, please reach out to the following:
Community Members in The Retreat contact:
Tim Meyer, Land Agent
(970) 498-5728
email Tim
Community Members in Rustic, Sevenmile Creek (CR 69), Lazy D Ranch (CR 63E/Pingree Park Road), Upper Buckhorn (CR 44H) or the Lower Buckhorn (CR 27), or other areas within the Cameron Peak burn area not previously listed, contact:
Alex Swartz, Land Agent
(970) 498-2725
email Alex
