Alexander Mountain Fire is currently burning west of Masonville, and was last measured by Colorado's Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) at 255 acres about 30 minutes ago. Larimer County Sheriff is giving a ground estimate significantly higher than that, and evacuations around the area of the fire have been ordered.

At this time no structures in the Rist Canyon response area are threatened and no evacuation orders have come out for us yet. However, be advised that given the current weather conditions and behavior of this fire, the situation could change rapidly. Have your go-bag ready in case you need to leave in a hurry.

We will try to post further updates as needed, but we may be paged for a mutual aid response, taking us away from keyboards and internet access.

The NWS has issued a Red Flag Warning for today, 14-July-2024, for all areas in Larimer County.

• Timing: 12 PM to 9 PM MDT Sunday 07/14/2024.


• Winds: Gusty winds up to 45 mph near showers and storms.


• Relative Humidity: As low as 13 percent.


• Impacts: Conditions will be favorable for lightning-induced ignitions from mostly dry thunderstorms. Locally erratic outflow winds near thunderstorms could promote rapid wildfire spread in the event of a new start. If a fire were to become established, conditions could be favorable for large vertical plume growth.


• Thunderstorms: Isolated to scattered (15-25% coverage) of mostly dry thunderstorms is expected Sunday afternoon, potentially extending into early evening. Thunderstorms will be high-based, producing little, if any, precipitation, and thus resulting in an increased threat of lightning-induced ignitions.

See weather.gov for more information.

This year, RCVFD celebrates 40 years of volunteer service from Carol Dollard! Come join us on Sunday, July 14, at Station 1 (11875 Rist Canyon Rd) 2:00-4:00 PM as we honor Carol and dredge up fun and touching stories to embarrass her. We'll have snacks and beverages available to help you beat the heat we expect this weekend, and firefighters will be there to hang out and be social as well.

Carol has held several officer positions over the years, including chief, assistant chief, and captain. She was instrumental in the rebuilding of Station 1 after High Park Fire, and has more first-hand knowledge of this fire department than anyone. And yet she is always quick to volunteer to do the grunt work: directing traffic at an accident scene, running the parking lot at the festival, etc. She looks after us and does her best to keep us safe, despite our best efforts to the contrary. Join us in showing appreciation for her 40 years of dedication to our team, and hopefully we'll have another open house for her in ten more years, when she makes it a round 50.

When you visit, please be careful not to block the bay doors, just in case we need to respond to something. If the station parking area is full, you can also park next door at 11821 in the field near the road. If that becomes necessary, we'll have some folks available to direct traffic.

See you on Sunday!

The following press release comes from the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest office:

Due to the forecast of continuing dry and warm conditions as well as increasing fire activity across the region and nation, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland has enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions on national forest lands and grassland in Clear Creek, Gilpin, Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties beginning today, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Stage 1 fire restrictions limit where and what type of fires visitors can have.

The following is PROHIBITED under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:

• Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) outside of a developed campground or recreation site with established forest service fire rings or grills.


• Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.


• Operating a chainsaw without an effective and properly installed spark arrestor, a fire extinguisher kept with the operator, and a shovel.


• Blasting, welding, or operating a torch with an open flame without being in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and having a fire extinguisher kept with the operator.


• Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest System lands.

The following activities and uses are ALLOWED under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:

• Open fires contained in permanently constructed metal or concrete fire pits and/or charcoal grills that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed campgrounds and picnic areas.


• Liquid or gas fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices with on/off switches on surfaces clear of flammable vegetation.

Violation of Stage 1 fire restrictions could result in a maximum fine of $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for more than six months, or both. If responsible for causing a wildfire, one could be held accountable for suppression costs of that fire.

Be sure to visit the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland’s Know Before You Go page to see the fire restrictions order and other useful information to help plan your trip.

The regular meeting of the RCVFD Board is at 6 pm Wednesday, July 17, 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 July 13 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.

The regular meeting of the RCVFD Board is at 6 pm Wednesday, June 19, 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 June 15 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.

In the latest Ristwatch (pdf), you probably read about the problems our area is having with Leafy Spurge and Dalmation Toad Flax. The Larimer County Land Stewardship Manager has some tools to help you with noxious weeds like these on your own property.

Larimer County Land Stewardship staff is working with the Colorado Department of Agriculture to release, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of flea beetles as an insect biocontrol for leafy spurge. This biocontrol has the potential to be particularly useful for landowners with large infestations of leafy spurge on steep slopes. For more information contact Lexie Sorenson at (970) 498 5765.

If you would like RCVFD to conduct an assessment of your property under the Wildfire Partners Program, fill out your information below and one of our firefighters will contact you to schedule an appointment.

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The regular meeting of the RCVFD Board is at 6 pm Wednesday, May 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 May 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.

Hi everyone,

Don't forget about the Wildfire Preparedness Day Open House this Saturday, May 4, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Station 1.

We'll have information to help you prepare your home for emergency situations, discussions with firefighters, refreshments, and chances to meet your neighbors both near and far.

Please see our website or Facebook page for more information.

Best regards,

Mark Neuroth, Fire Chief