Conifer Fire Dept

05/19/2026

Last week, we introduced you to “Critical 80” — the intensive first two weeks of the season when Elk Creek Fire stands up our seasonal wildland crews through physical training, refreshers, and hands-on field qualifications.

As part of preseason training, these wildland crews spend time sharpening one of the most technical and safety-critical skills in the field: chainsaw operations. 🪚🌲

After completing classroom refreshers and safety review, crews head into the field to perform qualification cuts under evaluator supervision. But this training is about far more than simply cutting down trees.

Our saw program is based on an interagency training concept known as “Developing Thinking Sawyers” — an approach that emphasizes decision-making, hazard assessment, and understanding not just how to perform different cuts, but when and why to use them in different situations.

Throughout the day, firefighters are evaluated on everything from tree assessment and hazard recognition to face cuts, back cuts, communication, and overall decision-making.

Crew members must demonstrate a toolbox of techniques and safely place trees exactly where intended under a variety of conditions.

A lot of work happens behind the scenes before crews ever respond to a wildfire. This training is part of building safe, capable, and adaptable operators before the season gets underway.

Stay tuned as we continue sharing more behind-the-scenes looks at the training and qualification process our crews complete each spring.

05/15/2026

Flags are at half staff today in observance of National Peace Officers Memorial Day, in tribute to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Conifer Fire regularly works together with law enforcement, and appreciate their efforts in the community.

Let's take a moment in our day to send our respect to those lives lost on the job.

05/15/2026

🔥 Community preparedness is about more than mitigation work alone — it’s about neighbors coming together to help build a safer, more wildfire-resilient Conifer area.

As Wildfire Awareness Month continues, we’re proud to spotlight the incredible work Community Ambassadors and residents are doing across their Planning Units to turn that preparedness into action.

The Sampson/Maxwell Planning Unit has been hard at work the past couple weekends, creating exactly that kind of momentum and bringing neighbors together around both education and action.

Earlier this month, residents gathered for a Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Open House featuring Fire Marshal Rachel Rush speaking on the new Wildfire Resiliency Codes and Master Gardener Bob Peesel sharing ideas for high-altitude, low-flammability landscaping and defensible space planning.

Then just one week later, community members rolled up their sleeves for the Maxwell Area Firewise Community Work Day, helping clear slash and ladder fuels within their Planning Unit.

But beyond the mitigation work itself, something equally important is happening: connections are being built along the way. Neighbors are meeting for the first time, conversations are turning into future plans, and the visible progress being made is already inspiring others throughout the community to begin mitigation work on their own properties.

That sense of connection and shared responsibility is exactly what the Community Ambassador program is all about. 🌲🚒

In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be highlighting more of the incredible projects and people behind this work across our Planning Units and Community Ambassador program.

Stay tuned for a more in-depth feature with Community Ambassador Katrina from the Maxwell Planning Unit, where we’ll share more about what inspires her work and why building wildfire resilience starts with community connection.

Thank you to everyone helping make the Conifer area stronger, safer, and more wildfire resilient — together.

05/12/2026

Critical 80 is underway. 🔥

“Critical 80” is the first two weeks of training when the Conifer Wildland Division stands up our seasonal wildland crews for the months ahead.

Before wildfire season ramps up, crews complete intensive training focused on physical readiness, medical response, operational refreshers, and hands-on field skills.

Wildland firefighters operate in challenging environments — and every crew member must be prepared to respond when emergencies happen.

In addition to wildfire response, these crews also support mitigation work, rescues, traffic incidents, and other all-hazard calls throughout the Conifer area.

A lot of preparation happens behind the scenes before fire season starts. This is part of that work.

04/20/2026

A reminder that the application for the JeffCo Mountain Pine Beetle Landowner Assistance Grant is due later this week, on April 23rd. Details at:
https://www.jeffco.us/5153/MPB-Landowner-Assistance

03/26/2026

Worth a share. Consider joining your local volunteer fire departments. We hold periodic recruitment opportunities for new members.

We’re running out of people.

This isn’t a problem unique to one town or one firehouse. It’s happening everywhere.

Across our communities, the number of people willing and able to volunteer is shrinking. At the same time, the calls are not slowing down. If anything, they’re increasing. More emergencies. More need. Fewer people stepping forward to meet it.

Inside the firehouse, that reality is already here, and being felt in real ways.

The same names keep showing up. The same group of people answering calls again and again. The list isn’t getting longer. The workload isn’t getting lighter. The workforce isn't getting younger. We’re relying on neighboring departments to fill the gaps, and they’re relying on us to help them more than ever.

This isn’t about the future anymore. This is happening right now.

I won’t sugarcoat it. Joining a volunteer fire department isn't easy, and it takes time. The initial training is demanding. It will interrupt your routine. There will be nights when it’s inconvenient, when it would be easier to stay home, when you question whether you can keep up.

That part is real. But it’s also temporary.

What’s on the other side of that effort is something most people will never experience. You learn how to stay calm when others can’t. You learn how to step into situations people naturally avoid and actually be useful. You gain real skills you use on calls, at home, and in everyday life. And you become part of a group that shows up for their neighbors when they need it most.

It’s rewarding. It’s satisfying. And it makes a difference in your life, and in your community. It changes how you see yourself.

This isn’t about being a certain type of person. It’s not about being the strongest or the fastest. It’s not about having experience or knowing exactly what to do on day one. There are roles for all kinds of people; on the fireground, in EMS, and behind the scenes.

What matters is the willingness to step forward and learn. Men and women. Young adults. Parents. People with full-time jobs and other commitments. People who have thought about it before but never took the first step. You don’t need to be ready for the worst right now. You just need to be willing to start.

Because here’s the truth: The calls will keep coming. They always do. It might be your house. It might be your neighbor. The only question is who will be there to answer them. Will it be you?

If this made you stop for even a second, don’t overthink it. Stop by your local firehouse. Message them. Talk to someone. Sit in on a drill. Ask questions. No pressure. No commitment. Just come see what it’s really about.

Because the hardest part isn’t the training. It’s walking through the door for the first time.

- Captain Cummings

03/20/2026

🔥 Heads Up, Conifer Fire District Residents 🔥

We are now under another RED FLAG WARNING.

We know - it’s been a stretch of repeated Red Flag Warnings, and it can start to feel routine or easy to tune out.

This one matters. Conditions remain serious, and they are not improving.

What we’re seeing right now:
• Unseasonably warm temperatures (near record highs for March)
• Very low humidity - dropping into the single digits during the day
• Poor overnight recovery, meaning fuels are not regaining moisture overnight
• Dry vegetation (fuels) that can ignite easily and spread fire quickly

Saturday is a big concern:
• Temperatures in the mid-70s
• Relative humidity as low as 5–6%
• Wind gusts up to 30 mph

‼️ These conditions combine to create widespread critical fire weather

These are the kinds of conditions that firefighters pay especially close attention to.

Even when winds are lighter, the combination of heat and extremely dry air means fires can start easily and spread quickly.

📊 We’ve included a weather graphic below. It’s a bit more technical, but it gives a glimpse into the conditions firefighters are watching behind the scenes.

What this means for our community:

Please don’t let the repetition of these warnings lower your guard;
this is exactly when vigilance matters most.
• Avoid any activities that could spark a fire
• Use caution with equipment, trailers, and anything that could generate heat or sparks

Even a small ignition could have serious consequences under these conditions.

We will be closely monitoring conditions through the weekend.

Please stay alert and wildfire aware!

03/10/2026

🚫 Update: Recruitment is now closed. (3-24-26)
Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in joining Conifer Fire. We truly appreciate the support from our community. We look forward to future opportunities to serve together.

SERVE WHERE YOU LIVE.

Conifer Fire is recruiting volunteer firefighters and EMTs.

No experience? Bring your desire to serve. We’ll train you.
Already certified? Bring your skills.

Our volunteers meet the same high standards as professional responders across Colorado, and serve alongside them every day.

Stand ready for your mountain community.

Interested residents are invited to complete an interest form and attend an orientation.

👉 See link in comments for form and more info.

02/16/2026

Happy Presidents Day! 🇺🇸

We’re grateful for the support of our community- your firefighters are proud to serve the Conifer Fire Protection District. 🚒❤️

01/01/2026

🎆🚒 Happy New Year from all of us at Conifer Fire Protection District!

As we step into the New Year, we want to thank our community for your support and partnership throughout the year. Serving the Conifer area is a responsibility we take seriously, and we’re grateful to do this work alongside such a strong community.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and happy New Year. 🎆🚒