The Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department has been wrestling with the idea of building a fire station to improve response to the area of the Buckhorn. We are assessing the practicality of such a move. Obviously, purchasing land, putting up a building and equipping a new station is an expensive process.

We want to make sure we are good stewards with the money that has been donated to us, so it is important to get this right. Strong local support would inform us that this is important to the residents of this area. It is imperative that we have local volunteer responders to make a station in this area successful.

We are holding a community meeting at the residence of Lower Buckhorn Area Representative Dean Yoder on May 10 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Dean’s address is 19995 Buckhorn Road. While the purpose of this meeting is to assess the level of support from the residents in the Buckhorn area, we welcome comments from all residents of the RCVFD area. Please plan to attend and share your opinions.

Your Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department Board

Dear Residents,

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming FREE American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, and AED class! This is a valuable opportunity to learn essential, life-saving skills that could make all the difference in an emergency—especially in our mountain community, where emergency response times may be longer.

This class is open to everyone, regardless of experience or background. You’ll receive hands-on training using feedback manikins, work alongside our dedicated RCVFD First Responders, and walk away with an American Heart Association Heartsaver Certification—all fully funded by the RCVFD. Your participation demonstrates a powerful commitment to safety and preparedness in our community.

What You'll Learn:

1. First Aid Basics: Recognize and respond to a wide range of medical, injury, and environmental emergencies—such as heart attacks, strokes, severe allergic reactions, and more. Learn practical skills like bleeding control and tourniquet application.


2. CPR & AED Use: Gain hands-on experience with CPR techniques and learn how to use an AED.

Class Details:

• Date & Time: Saturday, May 24th from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.


• Location:RCVFD Station 1

Spots Are Limited!
Only 7 spaces remaining (class capped at 15 participants). RSVP is required – walk-ins cannot be accommodated due to AHA’s instructor-to-student ratio requirements. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday, May 16th with the following: your full name, email address, phone number, and any specific topics you're interested in.

Can't Make It?
No problem! This class is offered twice a year—in the Spring and Fall. If you miss this session, we’ll keep your contact info on file and give you priority registration for the Fall class.

We look forward to providing these training opportunities as we continue working together to strengthen the safety and resilience of our community!

Sincerely,

Jocelyn Wolf, FFT2, EMT
Grants Chair/Co-Medical Officer/WPP Ambassador
970-581-WOLF (9653)

The US Forest Service is conducting a large controlled burn operation at the Magic Feather site today near the intersection of County Road 74E (Red Feather Lakes Rd) and County Road 68C. Smoke will be very visible from our area.

For more information, see Inciweb or the US Forest Service Facebook page.

The regular meeting of the RCVFD Board is at 6 pm Wednesday, January 15, at Fire Station 1, 11835 Rist Canyon Road. All Rist Canyon area residents are welcome to attend. If you would like a copy of the agenda before the meeting, please email your name, email address, and telephone number no later than Jan 11 to the RCVFD Board Secretary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please put "RCVFD Meeting Agenda" in the subject line. Your copy of the agenda will arrive 1-2 days before the scheduled meeting.

Milk and Cookies with Santa Christmas Event at Sky Corral, this Saturday, December 7 from 12-4. We will feature Local Vendors just in time for Christmas shopping! Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be visiting for the kids to visit and have pictures, no charge. Christmas Trees and Wreaths will be for sale and we will have lots of yummy cookies to sell. There will be a North Pole Shopping area for the kiddos to purchase inexpensive gifts for moms and dads etc. This is a Free Event, with any proceeds benefitting the Sky Corral Scholarship Fund! Hope to see you there. Any questions contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The regular meeting of the RCVFD Board is at 6 pm Wednesday, November 20, at Fire Station 1, 11835 Rist Canyon Road. All Rist Canyon area residents are welcome to attend. If you would like a copy of the agenda before the meeting, please email your name, email address, and telephone number no later than Nov. 16 to the RCVFD Board Secretary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please put "RCVFD Meeting Agenda" in the subject line. Your copy of the agenda will arrive 1-2 days before the scheduled meeting. Please note that the RCVFD Board does not have a regular meeting in December.

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 6 PM MDT this evening. This warning applies to Fire Weather Zone 215, which includes the Rist Canyon area.

• AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 215, 216, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250 and 251.


• TIMING...From 10 AM this morning to 6 PM MDT this evening.


• WINDS...Northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. A few gusts up to 60 mph may occur in the foothills.


• RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 17 percent.


• IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.

For more information, see the National Weather Service website.

In advance of the 2024 RCVFD Annual Meeting on November 2, please review the 2023 RCVFD Annual Meeting Minutes (pdf), posted to the RCVFD website. Attendees to the 2024 Annual Meeting will be asked to approve these minutes.

The regular meeting of the RCVFD Board is at 6 pm Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Fire Station 1, 11835 Rist Canyon Road. All Rist Canyon area residents are welcome to attend. If you would like a copy of the agenda before the meeting, please email your name, email address, and telephone number no later than Oct. 12 to the RCVFD Board Secretary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please put "RCVFD Meeting Agenda" in the subject line. Your copy of the agenda will arrive 1-2 days before the scheduled meeting.