The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has recognized Lake of the Pines as Boulder County’s first Firewise Community. A foothills subdivision of 80 homes located just north of Lefthand Canyon and west of US36, Lake of the Pines lies in a moderate to high risk wildland urban interface. Its residents and homeowners’ association board of directors have recognized the obvious need to prepare the community to better withstand the ravages of a wildfire, through collaboration, education and coordinated action with Chief Russell Leadingham and Deputy Chief Chris O’Brien of Lefthand Fire Protection District, and District State Forester Allen Owen.

To date, approximately 75% of the homeowners have agreed to a wildfire defensibility assessment, and more than half of the properties have undergone professional wildfire mitigation. The community is committed to expanding this number while recognizing that even those properties that have been recently mitigated will require annual tune-ups and fairly significant remediation every few years. Additionally, the HOA has accomplished wildfire mitigation along its roadways and on its common properties.

Lake of the Pines is proud to be a leader in Firewise preparedness and will be happy to share its experience with other communities in this critical endeavor. John Miller, President of the Lake of the Pines Homeowners Association can be reached by email at j-jmiller@comcast.net.

John Miller
President, Board of Directors
Lake of the Pines Homeowners Association