Blog

Wanting to get some fresh air, we decided to go for a walk with the dogs in the neighborhood. Though it was getting dark, we had flashlights and sturdy winter boots. Suddenly, an orange glow permeated the dusky sky. Orange flames shot above the roof of the house just down... read more →

I remember my first winter in Nederland. It was the night before Thanksgiving. I woke up at 2 a.m., because I literally felt the house moving, creaking. The wind was howling. I got up and stared out the upper windows that faced west. Huge lodgepole pines were bowing back and... read more →

How can something so tiny cause so much destruction? An ember by itself seems so innocent – one tiny glowing speck. But make no mistake, embers or “firebrands” can ignite your home as easily as direct flame contact. Embers are usually pieces of twigs or branches that have caught fire.... read more →

What I remember most was the wind. The howling, gusting, torrential winds coming off the mountains that day. Having just moved into our Nederland home six weeks prior, we spent the Labor Day holiday putting up a small shed. As my husband... read more →

"But I moved to the mountain to live in the woods. If I do fire mitigation, I won't have any trees left. I love the trees!" It's a common refrain I hear from people when the subject of fire mitigation comes up. Sometimes, I feel like the anti-Lorax. You know,... read more →

Piles of ashes surrounded by green trees. These are the enduring images I take away from photos of recent wildfires like the Camp Fire in Paradise, California. As a mountain resident, it's hard to wrap my brain around these photos. How is it possible for a house to burn down... read more →

Years ago, my husband and I discussed our dream house – where would it be, what would it look like. “I want a house in the mountains. More than anything, I want to have a deck where I can hang out and see the mountains.” Years later, we got that... read more →

I still remember the day the Fourmile Canyon Fire started. It was Labor Day, 2010. We were trying to put in a new shed, and the winds were blowing so hard it was difficult to keep a hold of the wood. Suddenly, I saw a huge mushroom cloud arise out... read more →

During this time of uncertainty with a public health emergency, wildfire mitigation might be the last thing on your mind. But make no mistake, wildfire season is coming regardless of the circumstances in the world. With a county-wide “Stay-at-Home” order in place, doing wildfire mitigation can be a great use... read more →