Oak Creek Fire Rescue

04/07/2026

04/05/2026

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Easter! Thank you Town of Oak Creek for inviting OCFPD to the town Easter egg hunt yesterday to show off the trucks and meet community members!

03/24/2026

A Letter from the local Fire Chiefs

Dear Residents of Routt County,

We are writing to you today as partners in your safety. While we all cherish the mountain lifestyle that drew us to the Yampa Valley, this winter has presented us with a stark reality: our snowpack is currently at approximately 63% of its historical median. With spring upon us and our landscape significantly drier than normal, the opportunity to prepare your property for the 2026 wildfire season is presenting itself earlier than usual.

The investment you have made in your home is substantial. The historically low snowpack means that the fine fuels across the landscape and surrounding your home - the grasses, brush and leaf litter - will dry out weeks ahead of schedule, increasing the potential for an early and intense fire season and putting your investment at elevated risk.

Wildfire mitigation is not about preventing a forest fire; it is about "hardening" your home so it can survive an ember shower or a passing ground fire without professional intervention. In the event of a major incident, our resources will be stretched thin and focused on saving lives, first and foremost.

Here are a few ways you can start to prepare today:

1. Register for Routt County Alerts
2. Create a comprehensive household evacuation plan
3. Ensure your address sign is visible from the road, noncombustible and reflective
4. Request a Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Evaluation, or self-evaluate
5. Reduce fuels on your property in alignment with HIZ principles
6. Consider structure hardening projects (screen vents, replace combustible attachments, etc.)

The Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council has programming and resources that can help. Visit http://www.routtwildfire.org for more information.

This year, the stakes are higher than ever. We ask you to lead by example and share these concerns with your neighbors. By taking a proactive approach on your property and in your community today, you are not just protecting your own home… you are protecting your neighbors, your water supply and the first responders who serve this valley.

Gratefully,

Kenyon Shephard, Interim Chief, Oak Creek Fire Rescue

Chuck Cerasoli, Fire Chief, Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue

Ky Cox, Fire Chief, Yampa Fire Protection District

Matt Mathisen, Fire Chief, North Routt Fire Protection District

Trevor Guire, Fire Chief, West Routt Fire Rescue

Josh Hankes, Executive Director, Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council

03/20/2026

NOTICE TO ALL SLASH PILE BURN PERMIT HOLDERS

Attention Oak Creek Fire Protection District Residents:

Due to unseasonably high temperatures, current and predictive drying trends, and observed/predicted wildfire danger, all slash pile burn permits issued by the Oak Creek Fire Protection District are suspended, effective immediately, prior to the normal April 1 expiration date.

If you believe your property conditions still support safe slash pile burning, exemptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

For questions or exemption requests, please call (970) 736-7549.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in keeping our community safe!

Steamboat Pilot & TodaySteamboat RadioSteamboat Springs Fire RescueTown of Oak CreekStagecoach State Park- Colorado Parks and Wildlife

02/15/2026

Oak Creek Fire is looking for a proven, ethical and dynamic leader to take our incredible organization to the next level! Are you or someone you know ready to be a trusted pillar in our wonderful community? Apply today!

The Oak Creek Fire Protection District (OCFPD) is seeking a proven, ethical, and dynamic chief executive officer to lead it into an exciting new…

11/28/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from Oak Creek Fire! Today we’re grateful for the wonderful community we serve, thank you for the support! Enjoy a safe and fun day! (Firefighter Blalock did the honor of carving the duty crews turkey for dinner)

11/08/2025

Please join us Tuesday November 11th at 6:30 PM for our monthly OCFPD Board of Directors meeting at 131 E. Main Street in Oak Creek. The 2026 proposed budget will be discussed along with routine fire department business. We look forward to seeing you there!

08/30/2025

Come see us on Main Street today in front of the old 1937 fire engine for a delicious Lucky 8 Ranch bison burger! Thank you Lucky 8 for generously donating today’s bison burgers to help OCFPD fund our new life saving ambulance!

08/14/2025

Office of Emergency Management and Crosho Fire Incident Command are evacuating Zone 2.

Zone 5, 7, 8 and 9 remain in pre-evacuate. Map will continue to be updated as the situation progresses.

https://ow.ly/1ar550WGlMk

08/14/2025

The evacuation zones for the Crosho Fire have been updated and are available on the Routt County Incident Map.

08/09/2025

Welcome Kelly Family! It’s an honor to have you join our community.