Red Feather Lakes

We Are Back

Roger — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:04:15 +0000

Many of you have undoubtedly noticed that we have lost the web site several times due to band width limitations. Our service provider allows us 5 GB of bandwidth each month. With the higher resolution camera and the fact that other web sites seem to be borrowing our camera image, we are getting more traffic than ever. We decided to change providers and were able to get things up and running today on a new server. Now we have over 10 times the bandwidth and we reduced our monthly fee by half. Hopefully this will all result in solid performance and high reliability. Sorry it took so long.

POA Board Members Needed

Roger — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:12:06 +0000

You have probably had a chance to read the Winter Edition of the POA Newsletter by now. We want to call your attention to an error in that publication. The letter said we need three (3) new board members beginning in July to serve three (3) year terms. Actually, we need FIVE (5) new members. This is because we only have seven members now and we should have nine. In this way we always have six experienced members. Please speak with a current or past board member to learn more about the duties and responsibilities. It is a working board, however the total number of hours required is not that large. It is a great way to meet more people and serve the community you so enjoy. Please give it serious consideration. Thanks!

Attention: Important Fire Mitigation Needed

Roger — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:05:56 +0000

The loss of two cabins in December, 2012 was due to the falling of a “beetle killed” tree onto power lines. We were EXTREMELY lucky to have avoided a horrible forest fire at that time.

It is critical that you remove any trees on your property that are dead and near enough to power lines to damage them when the fall. Pine trees do not have a tap root like most trees. They typically fall 3 to 5 years after they die, but in Red Feather, it can be much earlier due to the winds we often encounter. Please take action right away if this information pertains to you. You can call Poudre Valley REA and they will take the trees down for you, however you will need to remove the debris. Thank you

Need Help with Dead Trees & Slash?

Roger — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:29:31 +0000

Unfortunately, many property owners in Red Feather have lost trees to beetle kill or other forces. The dead trees are no longer a beetle threat, however trees currently infested with beetles should be removed ASAP, for sure before June of 2013. You say: “Sure, but what can I do with the tree trunks and especially the slash?” There is now a low cost answer. A private entity called “Slash Solutions” has established a burn center on Creedmore Rd. just past the paved portion on the way to Beaver Meadows & Crystal Lakes. You can bring your material to that location on Th/F/Sat/Sun or Mon. between the hours of 10 AM till 6 PM. They have a recently purchased a Curtain Burner that burns green or dead tree material with virtually no smoke or odor. There is a nominal charge of $5/cubic yard. That is far less than hauling material down the hill.

The 4th of July Craft Show

Roger — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:54:28 +0000

We have high hopes that the POA building will be fully repaired before our summer season gets underway. There have been a number of requests from those that would like to display their wares at that annual craft fair on the 4th. Here is a form you can download and complete. It contains all the details you will need: Craft Show Vendors Letter 2013

Update to the Fire & POA Damage on 12/3/12

Roger — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:00:35 +0000

Dennis McMillan provided an update to what he believes happened during this serious event last December. First, the tank was 250 gallons and not 500, though a 250 gallon tank makes a very significant missile. It appears that a very large beetle killed pine tree blew down during the night. It brought down a power pole with a transformer attached. Dennis and Cris Meeks from the fire dept. put out a fire at that location. There was no fire link between that point and the cabins that burned, leading to the opinion that the cabin fires started when power lines were ripped from the cabins. Therefore, it appears critical that RFL residents remove dead pine trees, ESPECIALLY those that are near power lines or power poles.
The following is the original posting of the event. It was written the day after the fire.

We had a very serious event in Red Feather Village last night, but it could have been So Much Worse!!!

Here is a chronological explanation of what we believe occurred:

After midnight, the RFL Fire Dept. received an alarm of a possible small fire on Credemore Rd.

Several fire fighters were just leaving the fire barn when a serious fire began at the red A-Frame cabin above and to the west of the POA building. It is believed to have started when a tree fell on the cabin due to the extremely high winds (60mph+)

Residents and RFL property owners received reverse 911 calls at 2 AM calling for evacuations in the areas from Fox Acres down to Red Feather Lakes Road.

The fire fighters responded to the cabin fire and were on scene almost immediately. As they were unloading hoses, Dennis McMillan (RFL Trading Post) standing near the truck on CR 67J, heard a hissing sound coming from the cabin. The other fire fighters were on the east side of the truck, which is where Dennis moved rapidly. Just as he reached the truck, a 500 gallon propane sailed overhead and penetrated the east wall of the POA building. It entered where the stage is located. The tank went across the room and hit the wall near the front doors, then bounced into the kitchen where it came to rest. Lives could have been lost so easily!!

Fire departments from Glacier View, Crystal Lakes, and Livermore all responded.

Due to the very high winds, embers were flying everywhere and fire fighters could barely stay on their feet. The fire moved north along 67J and jumped over the road and moved toward Fox Acres. Flames got into Fox Acres but were suppressed there. Embers, some of them very large flew up as high as the now closed medical clinic. One piece of debris started a grass fire there.

At just after 4 AM, residents and property owners were allowed to return to their homes/cabins.

So, if you look over the event detailed above, it is easy to see that things could have been so much worse. We are sorry for the loss of two cabins. The damage to the POA building can be repaired. No water entered the POA building and the roof is thought to be in tact. The POA building is insured. There may be minor errors in the detail above, but based on a number of conversations from eye witnesses, we believe the above is quite accurate.

Many many thanks to all the volunteers and others that saved the village, and probably many of our homes and cabins. You are such great folks.

Below are some pictures:

East Wall of POA Bldg

This is the right side of the POA entry doorway.

Pine Beetle Inspections

Roger — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:47:52 +0000

Inspections should be available in late April. If you need help looking for pine beetle attacks, please go to the “Beetles” link and request a free inspection. Ignoring a problem will lead to the loss of many additional trees. As you look at our hillsides, it is obvious this problem is growing worse. An inspection on Pocahontas on 4/26/2011 resulted in over 20 severely attacked trees vs. zero attacks in the past. None of these trees had been sprayed. You will do yourself and your neighbors a big favor. YOU CAN SAVE YOUR TREES!!!

There have been several inquiries about spraying. The POA does not make specific company recommendations, however it is recommended that you spray in early late May or very early June. In past years, late June was fine, but the milder winters have brought about an earlier flying season, so getting it done by June 8 would be a good idea.

Weather Station Status

Roger — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:00:33 +0000

The weather station has been fairly reliable of late….except for occasional power outages at the library. A couple of folks are now trained to address problems, so things should remain pretty stable. Our new camera has higher resolution than the old one, so pictures are a little clearer. Take a look on the weather link on this page. Temperature, wind speed, etc. updates every 5 minutes 24/7. The camera is fully operational and looks to the south over Ramona Lake. The camera reports every 5 minutes during daylight hours.

RFL Plan Advisory Committee Opportunities

Roger — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:36:35 +0000

The Red Feather Plan Advisory Committee still has two current vacancies that need to be filled. Two long term members expect to “retire” in December, which creates more opportunities. Serving on this committee is not very time consuming and can be a significant contribution to our beautiful place. RFL property owners and those that have an association with Red Feather can learn more about this committee at: RFL PAC Info. Though this committee cannot control what changes occur in Red Feather, it does make recommendations to the County Commissioners based on input obtained from the general community. The primary objective of the committee is to maintain the character and quality of Historic Red Feather. The committee meets monthly on the second Thursday at 1:30 PM in the Firehouse conference room. The current focus is on water quality in Red Feather.

Artist for 4Qtr. 2011

Roger — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:00:38 +0000

The photographs below were taken by Jack Brinn. Now retired and spending time between the Rocky Mountain West and North Carolina, and more of the former, his goals are to record and render as much of these regions as possible. Jack’s web site is: RedFeatherImages

You may recognize some of these locations, especially if you have explored our beautiful Red Feather Lakes. You certainly can if you visit Jack’s web site.

Keep your eye on this page as the RFLPOA will feature other local artists in the future. If you are a local area artist and desire to have your work featured please contact us.