John Miller stands in his backyard at Lake of the Pines, where he has led wildfire mitigation efforts for more than two decades. (Photo by Katie Palubicki, Wildfire Partners)
As wildfire season grows longer and more intense, the need for local champions in wildfire mitigation has never been more urgent. One homeowner in Boulder County has made a lasting difference.
John Miller, a longtime Lake of the Pines resident, has spent two decades at the center of his community’s wildfire preparedness efforts. Now, he is encouraging others to step up, too.
Miller has worn many hats: volunteer firefighter, Red Cross disaster manager and HOA president. But it was the threat at his doorstep that motivated him to take action locally.
“The first time we got evacuated was when it really hit home,” Miller said. “It’s a terrifying experience; one you don’t forget. But the truth is, after each fire threat, interest in wildfire mitigation peaks and then begins to fade with time. My job was to keep the focus in our community.”
As president of his homeowners association, Miller found himself in a unique position to make things happen. Working closely with Lefthand Fire Protection District and the Colorado State Forest Service, he helped Lake of the Pines become Boulder County’s first Firewise USA® community in 2013. Lake of the Pines has renewed their Firewise USA® status every year since. Miller enlisted the support of Wildfire Partners soon after the program’s inception in 2014.
“I learned about Wildfire Partners through Firewise and our local fire protection district. They put me in touch with the program and we’ve been working with them ever since,” said Miller.
But Miller’s leadership wasn’t just about planning; it was about persistence. Convincing neighbors to reduce vegetation density, remove junipers and manage grasses wasn’t easy.
“You need patience, a sense of humor, and credibility,” Miller said. “This doesn’t happen in a year. It might not even happen in five. But it starts with one person who’s willing to lead.”
Starting Small
The work started small and grew over time. It involved removing ladder fuels like overgrown brush and low-hanging branches, thinning crowded trees and adapting landscaping to reduce wildfire risk.
Miller also championed participation in Wildfire Partners’ community chipping program, which provides free neighborhood slash removal and chipping.
“We do three chipping events a year now, and people appreciate the service. It’s one of the most helpful programs we’ve had,” said Miller.
Early on, it was not easy to convince residents to take actions like thinning trees and removing highly flammable junipers. But Miller approached the issue with care, facts and visible results.
“People see the difference,” he said. “It starts looking like the park it should look like.”
Today, Lake of the Pines is recognized not just for its scenic views but for its proactive stance on wildfire mitigation. To maintain momentum, Miller has kept wildfire mitigation front and center through regular “windshield” assessments – driving through the neighborhood to check each property’s mitigation status with local fire officials. He then follows up with homeowners who may need significant mitigation work. In the early years, he created a color-coded map showing every home’s progress, posting it in a common area for residents to review.
A revision to the community’s architectural control rules now requires adequate defensible space, giving the HOA leverage to enforce mitigation. Miller continues to use community newsletters and email updates to encourage residents to schedule their own mitigation assessments.
Close Call Highlights Efforts
Miller recalls a close call when flames from the 2020 Cal-Wood Fire reached the northwest corner of their neighborhood.
“Before the ridge behind our community went up in flames, I was in my driveway with pinecones and embers falling on me,” said Miller. “We evacuated, and I was prepared to watch my house burn, but our community was spared.”
Scorched trees on the ridgeline just north of Lake of the Pines shows how close the 2020 Cal-Wood Fire came to the community. Years of community mitigation work helped firefighters halt the fire’s spread. (Photo by Katie Palubicki, Wildfire Partners)
Chief Chris O’Brien of Lefthand Fire Protection District credits the community’s prior mitigation work in part for halting the fire’s spread.
“Chief O’Brien continues to say the fire didn’t spread in our community because of what we did,” said Miller. “The firefighters were able to get in there and attack it.”
Practical Steps, Real Results
Miller has practical advice for anyone considering a leadership role in wildfire mitigation in their community:
- Start with a Wildfire Partners assessment.
- Talk to and get to know your local fire protection district or department.
- Work through your HOA early.
It’s not a one-person job, but it does take one person to start.
Miller is still involved with the Red Cross and remains a crucial partner in Boulder County’s wildfire mitigation efforts. His story is a powerful reminder that community mitigation starts with leadership, communication and steady, determined action.
“It’s a great way to get to know your community,” Miller said. “If you care about where you live, it’s something you can’t afford to ignore.”
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