Black Forest Fire Rescue

06/19/2026

🎈 Bring the kids and come see us at the Black Forest Farmers Market tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM! 🚒🌽

We'll have fun firefighter swag and activities for kids, plus you can meet your local firefighters and explore ways to stay safe.

While you're there, stop by for a free blood pressure check, learn about wildfire mitigation, Peak Alerts, File of Life, address signs, and other community safety resources.

We can't wait to see you there!

06/11/2026

🔥 June 11, 2013 🔥

Thirteen years ago, the Black Forest Fire changed our community forever.

The fire burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed over 500 homes, and claimed two lives. Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate as firefighters from across the region worked tirelessly to protect lives and property.

Today, we remember those who were impacted, honor those who responded, and recognize the resilience that continues to define the Black Forest community.

The lessons learned in 2013 remain as important today as ever. Wildfire mitigation, emergency alerts, and evacuation planning can make all the difference when every minute counts.

Visit our website to learn more about:
🌲 Wildfire Mitigation
📱 Peak Alerts
🚗 Evacuation Planning

Watch KOAA's 10-year retrospective on the Black Forest Fire:

🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZbd_ocz5KM

Remember. Prepare. Protect.

Pictures from the AP

06/06/2026

🚨 Volunteers Needed at the Black Forest Slash & Mulch Site! 🚨

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered in May and helped make the Slash & Mulch program a success. As we move into June, we still have many open volunteer shifts that need to be filled.

This community resource can only stay open with the support of volunteers, and we all play a part in helping make that happen.

If you can spare a few hours, please sign up today at bfslash.org.

📅 Volunteer Shifts Available:
• Tuesday & Thursday: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Saturday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Whether you're a returning volunteer or looking to help for the first time, we'd love to have you join us. Every shift makes a difference in helping our community reduce wildfire risk and keep this valuable program running.

Thank you for supporting Black Forest and your neighbors! 🌲🚒

06/05/2026

🌲 Stop by and see us at the Black Forest Farmers Market tomorrow!

Black Forest Fire Rescue will be at the market from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM sharing information about wildfire preparedness, mitigation resources, address signs, Peak Alerts, File of Life packets, and more.

Bring your questions, meet members of your fire department, and learn about programs and services available to help keep your family and property safe.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🚒

06/03/2026

Reminder: Free Colorado Home Insurance Shopping Help Webinar is tonight. Click this link for more information: https://uphelp.org/events/2026-co-r2p-home-shopping/

Attention Black Forest Homeowners!
Are rising insurance costs impacting your home coverage? You are not alone — and help is available!

Join this FREE Colorado Home Insurance Shopping Help Webinar on Wednesday, June 3rd from 5:00–6:30 PM and hear directly from insurance experts, the Colorado FAIR Plan, and the Division of Insurance.

Topics include:

✔️ Non-renewals (“dropped” coverage)
✔️ Keeping insurance affordable
✔️ Colorado FAIR Plan options
✔️ Discounts & home improvement savings
✔️ Understanding insurance company ratings

For additional information and registration details, please use the event registration link provided below.

https://uphelp.org/events/2026-co-r2p-home-shopping/

This webinar is open to ALL Colorado homeowners, so please share this opportunity with your neighbors, family, and friends! Together we can stay informed, prepared, and protected.

06/03/2026

🌲🪚 S-112 Chainsaw Operations

Black Forest Fire Rescue recently partnered with the Southern Colorado Interagency Wildland Fire Team and La Foret Conference & Retreat Center to host the NWCG S-112 Chainsaw Operations course, providing firefighters with hands-on training ahead of fire season.

Students learned that safe tree felling starts long before the saw is running. Sawyers must size up each tree by evaluating lean, hazards, defects, escape routes, and surrounding conditions before developing a cutting plan. Safety remained the focus throughout the course, with participants practicing proper PPE use, communication, situational awareness, face cuts, back cuts, and wedge placement to safely control a tree's direction of fall.

Thank you to our instructors, students, Team Rubicon, SOCO, and La Foret Conference & Retreat Center for helping make this training a success. These skills help firefighters safely mitigate hazards, support wildfire response efforts, and better protect our community.

📺 Learn more about the training in KOAA's coverage:
https://www.koaa.com/news/wildfire/volunteer-wildland-firefighters-earn-chainsaw-certification-in-colorado-springs-ahead-of-fire-season

🌲🚒🪚

06/02/2026

While burn restrictions have been rescinded in El Paso County, burn permits for both recreational purposes and slash burning are still required in Black Forest. Please check our website for further information. https://www.bffire.org/burn-permits/

🚨BURN RESTRICTIONS LIFTED🚨

Before the comment section gets any ideas, let's review.

Here's what this means:
- Fire danger has decreased
- We've had beneficial moisture
- Restrictions are no longer necessary right now

Here's what this DOES NOT mean:
- "Time to burn my weeds"
- "Time to burn my branches"
- "Time to make decisions that end with firefighters coming to my house"

Open burning is STILL prohibited in Colorado Springs. We know some of y'all saw "burn restrictions lifted" and immediately started looking at your yard like Gordon Ramsay inspecting a kitchen.

And while we're here:
- Fireworks, ILLEGAL
- Sparklers, ILLEGAL

Put the lighter down. Don't be acting a fool out there.

05/29/2026

Attention Black Forest Homeowners!
Are rising insurance costs impacting your home coverage? You are not alone — and help is available!

Join this FREE Colorado Home Insurance Shopping Help Webinar on Wednesday, June 3rd from 5:00–6:30 PM and hear directly from insurance experts, the Colorado FAIR Plan, and the Division of Insurance.

Topics include:

✔️ Non-renewals (“dropped” coverage)
✔️ Keeping insurance affordable
✔️ Colorado FAIR Plan options
✔️ Discounts & home improvement savings
✔️ Understanding insurance company ratings

For additional information and registration details, please use the event registration link provided below.

https://uphelp.org/events/2026-co-r2p-home-shopping/

This webinar is open to ALL Colorado homeowners, so please share this opportunity with your neighbors, family, and friends! Together we can stay informed, prepared, and protected.

05/27/2026

Upcoming Training Opportunity: Chainsaw Operations & Recertification

Current NWCG S-112 Chainsaw Operators can maintain their certification through our upcoming S-112 Recertification Days.

📅 June 1 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📅 June 3 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📅 June 5 | 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

📍 La Foret Conference & Retreat Center
6145 Shoup Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80908

Register here: [email protected]/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://outlook.office.com/book/[email protected]/

Recertification training focuses on:
✔️ Chainsaw safety and maintenance
✔️ Cutting techniques
✔️ Hazard recognition
✔️ Team operations
✔️ Safe work practices

Required PPE includes hard hat, eye and hearing protection, gloves, long sleeves, long pants, leather boots, and chainsaw chaps.

⚠️ Participants must hold a current NWCG S-112 qualification and bring a chainsaw in safe operating condition.

Space is limited. Secure your spot today!

05/26/2026

🪵⛓️ NWCG S-112 Chainsaw Operations ⛓️🪵

Looking to build your wildland chainsaw skills or complete your Basic Faller (FAL3) training?

Black Forest Fire Rescue, in partnership with SOCO, is hosting NWCG S-112 Chainsaw Operations, a blended course combining online learning with classroom and hands-on field training.

📅 Classroom Session:
May 28
⏰ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📍 Black Forest Fire Rescue Station 1

📅 Field Days:
May 29 & 30
⏰ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📍 La Foret Conference & Retreat Center

Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/zMLiWgeXEH

This course covers chainsaw safety, maintenance, communication, cutting techniques, hazard recognition, and practical field exercises designed to prepare participants for wildland fire operations.

⚠️ Space is limited. Register today!

For the full NWCG course catalog, visit the link below:

https://www.nwcg.gov/training/training-catalog-and-index