Poudre Fire Authority

05/29/2026

“You could sneeze on something, and it would start on fire,” said Pete Wells, officer for Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) Station 11, of the conditions in spring 2012 when the High Park Fire ignited in the foothills west of Fort Collins; conditions that sound familiar in 2026.

Wells is officially PFA’s longest tenured volunteer firefighter. He became a PFA volunteer firefighter in May 1996, making this Wildfire Awareness Month his 30th anniversary.

Wells has helped PFA and his community battle Northern Colorado’s most well-known fires. He helped fight the Crystal Fire in 2011, the High Park Fire in 2012, and the Cameron Peak Fire in 2020.

His first sighting of the High Park Fire and the weeks that followed were what first popped into his head when asked about his most memorable incidents with PFA.

“We were doing our normal monthly training on the second Saturday of the month. It was wildland strategy and tactics on one of the hillsides on the east side of the area in Redstone Canyon, a crystal-clear day. We were looking west when suddenly we saw this unbelievably defined white plume of smoke. No one had been notified yet. We knew it was big, but it was also relatively far away,” said Wells of that first view of what would become the then largest fire in Colorado’s history. The High Park Fire would burn over 87,000 acres, destroy 259 structures, and be responsible for one death.

Read the full story about Volunteer Pete Wells and learn about recommendations for wildfire prevention here: www.poudre-fire.org/about-us/faces-of-pfa

05/27/2026

🔥FIRE UPDATE: Cause of Ponds Fire Determined 🔥

The Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) fire investigation has concluded that the probable cause of the Ponds Fire was a power line that came loose from its insulator. The loose line contacted another line causing sparks that ignited dry vegetation.

The Ponds Fire, on the west edge of Fort Collins in Maxwell Natural Area, burned 8.4 acres on April 23, 2026.

Here are PFA's top three recommendations for ways to protect your home against wildfire, especially if you live in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) or more rural area:

1. Clean your gutters so embers don't have a flammable place to land on top of your house
2. Maintain at least 5 feet of clear space around your home (meaning no mulch or log piles, debris, or storage under decks)
3. Install screens over gaps and vents to keep embers out

Not sure if you live in the WUI? Find out your risk here: qrco.de/WildfireRiskMap

See the full news release about the Ponds Fire here: www.poudre-fire.org/Home/Components/News/News/513/17

05/26/2026

This week, our cadets took their skills to new heights during intensive ladder operations training. From safely balancing 35’ ladders as a team to performing second-story rescue evolutions, every drill focused on coordination, communication, and trust.

Cadets practiced the critical task of removing unconscious victims from upper floors. This is a demanding skill that requires precision under pressure and confidence in your crew. These evolutions build the foundation for real-world emergency response where teamwork can make all the difference.

Strong fundamentals. Strong teamwork. Strong future firefighters.

Great work, Cadets. Keep on climbing.

05/22/2026

This afternoon, just after 4P.M., P.F.A. firefighters were dispatched to a report of a garage fire on Snow Mesa Dr.

E14 arrived on scene to find a working garage fire and quickly deployed a hose line to extinguish the fire. Additional units arrived on scene to confirm all people were out of the house.

E10, P.F.A.s hazmat engine, arrived on scene to remove a damaged lithium ion battery and securely packaged it for disposal.

05/22/2026

“This room is filled with people that typically never see each other again,” said UCHealth Senior Director of Prehospital Care Kevin Waters as he welcomed everyone to the third annual EMS Survivors Event.

The room included seven survivors of near-death medical emergencies, their families, and the first responders that helped save their lives.

The event, put on in partnership with Poudre Fire Authority and UCHealth, provides an opportunity to celebrate positive outcomes in a field where many days do not end in good news.

Often times, first responders do not get to know the final outcomes for their patients. Firefighters leave the scene after people are put into ambulances, dispatchers continue to answer 911 calls, and EMTs, doctors, and paramedics in the ER may never see a patient after initial care.

The care and skills from the providers and the strength and love shown by each and every person involved is something to be celebrated.

Thank you to everyone who made the evening possible.

The individual survivor stories will be shared in other ways on PFA’s social media channels.

See a full album of the event here:
https://poudrefireauthority.smugmug.com/EMS-Survivors-Event-2026

UCHealth Larimer County Sheriff's Office Lory State Park - Colorado Parks & Wildlife Fort Collins Police Services

05/21/2026

The Bad News:
Eighty percent of wildfires are started by humans.

The Good News:
That means we can make a difference and that is exactly what these community groups are going to do.

One of the groups includes the Redstone Canyon neighborhood around Poudre Fire Authority Station 11.

Thank you in advance to each and every person for the work you plan to do. Every bit of mitigation helps and seeing people come together around these efforts is both inspiring and comforting since it makes us all safer.

See the full news release about the grant program below.

05/19/2026

Our thoughts are with our partners at Berthoud Fire Protection District as one of their firefighters recovers from a serious accident.

Please keep the firefighter, their family, and the members of the department in your thoughts during this difficult time. We stand with our fire service family at Berthoud and are here to support them in any way we can. Look to them for further information and updates.

Ken Bradley is a lieutenant here with Berthoud Fire, and is well-known in the fire community as a dedicated teacher and leader. He and his wife, Carol, have three children, and their family has always been active in supporting others. Now, they are facing an unimaginable challenge.

On Sunday, while driving to work, Ken was critically injured in a head-on collision caused by a vehicle traveling the wrong way in the HOV lane. The accident left Ken with multiple fractures in both legs, fractures to his left arm, a dislocated right shoulder, several broken ribs, a pneumothorax, a significant leg laceration, and a concussion. He has already undergone several surgeries and will need more in the coming days to repair the extensive injuries. Despite the severity of the accident, Ken’s resilience and the support of his family have been remarkable.

Ken's extended family has set up a GoFundMe to assist- Carol and their children are making daily trips from Colorado Springs to Denver to be by Ken’s side. The road to recovery will be long, and the family is facing mounting medical bills, travel expenses, and the challenge of supporting their children during this difficult time. Donations to this fundraiser will help cover medical costs, travel expenses, and provide much-needed support for Carol and the kids as Ken heals.

We are so grateful that Ken survived, but the journey ahead is daunting. Any support for Ken, Carol, and their children is deeply appreciated. Please help this family as they navigate the difficult road ahead.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ken-bradleys-recovery

05/19/2026

Poudre Fire Authority crews responded to 1,787 calls for service in April.

Engine 5, near the intersection of S. College Ave. and E. Harmony Rd., was the busiest unit last month, responding to nearly 200 calls.

05/18/2026

Poudre Fire Authority is hiring.

Join our Fire Prevention & Community Risk Reduction Division and help make a lasting impact through prevention, education, inspections, and community safety.

We are currently hiring for the following full-time positions:

• Fire Inspector I / Fire Inspector II
• Fire Safety Plan Reviewer / Fire Safety Inspector-Plan Reviewer
• Public Education and Risk Reduction Specialist

If you want your work to make a difference in a growing community apply today to become part of the PFA team.

Learn more and apply here: www.poudre-fire.org/joining-pfa/civilian-job-postings

05/15/2026

If an emergency, such as a wildfire, happens near your home, will you receive the alert?

Be sure you do by signing up through NoCo Alert, so you receive the most important information at the most important of times.

WHAT TO KNOW (FAQs):

Q: I thought I was signed up but didn’t receive an alert. Why?
A: Alerts are geographically based and only sent to those in imminent threat.

Q: Do I have to register?
A: If you do not have a landline phone, yes, you MUST register at www.nocoalert.org.

Q: How can I get alerts about multiple places (e.g., home, work, kids’ school, etc.)?
A: You can sign up for up to five locations in Larimer County, Jackson County, or the Windsor-Severance Fire District.

Q: Is it possible to just receive all the alerts sent in the area?
A: If you want ALL alerts in Larimer County via text, you can text NOCOALERT to 888777. This is how many people who don’t live in the area of an imminent threat receive the alerts.

Q:What do I do if I receive a mandatory evacuation?
A: Leave immediately. Do not wait for further instructions or a specific location, just leave and get to a safe location immediately.

NOCOAlert