Today marked the first live fire experience for the Poudre Fire Authority Academy Class of 2026.
The training focused on fire dynamics and how firefighters apply those principles during fire attacks. Recruits began the day learning about chemical reactions, gas laws and thermodynamics before participating in small-scale experiments and medium-sized burn demonstrations.
The class later observed fire behavior from the incipient stage through full growth and completed multiple live burn demonstrations showing the volatility of combustion byproducts (smoke) and the importance of controlling that environment.
These foundational skills will prepare recruits for future interior fire attack operations as they continue training to protect lives and property.
#livefire #poudrefire #fortcollins #firedynamics #physics
If an emergency, such as a wildfire, happens near your home, will you receive the alert?
Be sure you do by signing up through NoCo Alert, so you receive the most important information at the most important of times.
WHAT TO KNOW (FAQs):
Q: I thought I was signed up but didn’t receive an alert. Why?
A: Alerts are geographically based and only sent to those in imminent threat.
Q: Do I have to register?
A: If you do not have a landline phone, yes, you MUST register at .
Q: How can I get alerts about multiple places (e.g., home, work, kids’ school, etc.)?
A: You can sign up for up to five locations in Larimer County, Jackson County, or the Windsor-Severance Fire District.
Q: Is it possible to just receive all the alerts sent in the area?
A: If you want ALL alerts in Larimer County via text, you can text NOCOALERT to 888777. This is how many people who don’t live in the area of an imminent threat receive the alerts.
Q:What do I do if I receive a mandatory evacuation?
A: Leave immediately. Do not wait for further instructions or a specific location, just leave and get to a safe location immediately.
#Safety #PoudreFire #Evacuations #Alerts @noco_alert NOCOAlert
Poudre Fire Authority’s Special Operations Wildland Team deployed a four-person crew and a Type 6 engine to the Ash Pole Fire in the Nebraska National Forest.
The fire is estimated at 350 acres. The crew is assisting with wildfire suppression operations through a federal agreement.
Updates on the crew’s progress and assignments will be provided as more information becomes available.
#poudrefire #fortcollins #firefighters #wildlandfirefighter #wildlandfire
A special thank you to our community partners from the American Red Cross, UCHealth, La Familia, Poudre Libraries and the City of Fort Collins Volunteer Response Team who made our smoke alarm installation event at Cloverleaf Mobile Home Community such a success. Your partnership and support helped make homes safer for our residents and community.
We were inspired by the dedication shown to our community, with installation teams working tirelessly, some even staying beyond the scheduled event time to help more residents stay safe.
We’re also incredibly grateful for the behind-the-scenes support that kept crews organized, fed and moving throughout the day.
Alarm Installation By the Numbers: - 190 smoke alarms installed - 51 CO alarms installed - 221 people served in 68 homes - 150 hot dogs perfectly grilled
Making this one of our most successful events of ten in recent memory.
Your commitment to our organization and our community is admirable, and we hope to see you again for our alarm installation event in the fall.
#PoudreFire #FortCollins #SmokeAlarmsSaveLives #COAlarms #FirePrevention @larimersheriff
Poudre Fire Authority Firefighters Respond to Balcony Fire at Apartment Building Today
Crews were dispatched at 8:18 a.m. to the 400 block of E. Foothills Parkway after reports of dark black smoke coming from the upper level of an apartment building. The Engine 3 Crew arrived first at 8:22 a.m. and completed a 360-degree size-up.
Firefighters located a fire on a third-floor balcony, where the building’s sprinkler system was already flowing water onto the fire.
The Tower 5 Crew extended the aerial ladder to the roof on the east side of the building so firefighters could check for extension.
Crews marked the fire knocked down and under control at 8:30 a.m. Damage was limited primarily to the balcony of the involved unit and residents were able to return home shortly after. No injures have been reported at this time.
Crews cleared the scene at shortly after 9:00 a.m.
A fire investigator remained at the fire until 11:27 a.m. investigating the cause. Witnesses reported someone had been smoking on the patio earlier.
Please remember to:
• Fully extinguish cigarettes, cigars, and other smoking materials in a sturdy, noncombustible ashtray.
• Do not place smoking materials in planters, mulch, trash cans, or near anything that can burn.
Thank you to Fort Collins Police Services and UCHealth for their work at the fire.
#PoudreFire #FortCollins #FireSafety #ApartmentFire
We are so proud to congratulate Annie Bierbower, our Public Information Officer, on earning her Digital Marketing & AI Certificate through the University of Denver’s College of Professional Studies! 🎓🔥 Over 10 weeks, Annie completed the Applied Business Science program with a concentration in Digital Marketing — building skills in AI-driven marketing, SEO, social media strategy, email marketing, analytics, and content development. She also earned industry-recognized certificates in Google Analytics, Google Ads, and HubSpot. Annie’s commitment to continuous learning helps PFA better connect with and serve our community. We’re lucky to have her on the team! 👏
Shortly before 12:30 pm dispatch was notified of a hiker in distress at Duncan's Ridge. Crews responded and were able to make quick access to the individual. After ascertaining they were experiencing a medical episode the crews provided on scene care and assisted with transporting and loading them into Lifeline for transport to a local hospital. We want to extend our appreciation to our partners with UCHealth, Lifeline, and the Larimer County Park Rangers for their work on this call.
#PoudreFire #Rescue
Final update: 4:53 pm- Lifeline is transporting the patient to a local hospital. Crews on scene will work their way back to the trailhead and clear the scene.
PFA crews, along with UCH and Larimer County Rangers, are on scene at Reservoir Ridge for a patient reporting a snake bite after being dispatched shortly after 3:55 pm. Lifeline is also responding to the scene. Lifeline responds to snake bites so they can bring antivenom directly to the scene. #PoudreFire #SnakeBite
Shortly after 5:30 pm crews from Poudre Fire Authority Stations 4, 5, 7, and 9, along with Larimer County Rangers, and UCHealth responded to reports of boaters with a capsized canoe struggling to reach shore near South Bay on Horsetooth Reservoir.. A private boater noticed the swimmers and was able to rescue them from the water. While some crews were still on scene from the first reported rescue needed, they received two more reports of others needing help reaching shore. We are thankful for the coordination and work of the Larimer County Rangers, UCHealth and the assistance of private boaters. Thankfully everyone today got a happy ending. If you are planning on recreating on any body of water make sure you check the weather and keep an eye on the skies. Weather can change quickly here in Northern Colorado and the wind can make staying upright and getting to shore very difficult. Always have a PFD and wear your leash on paddleboards.
#PoudreFire #WaterSafety #WaterRescue
BARN FIRE INJURES ONE HORSE & CAUSES $400,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE
Firefighters were dispatched to a fully involved barn fire yesterday morning, May 6. One horse sustained burns and was transported by Colorado State University Veterinarian Services for treatment. The fire burned the barn and a nearby garage causing an estimated $400,000 worth of damage.
At 5 a.m., Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) crews were dispatched to the 600 block of S. Boulder Circle (off Highway 14 and east of I25) after a call to 911 reported a fire potentially in a home. The caller saw the flames while driving by and turned around to provide more information. They were able to confirm that it was not a house but an outbuilding of some kind.
When Battalion Chief 1 arrived, he confirmed assignments and assumed command, implementing an offensive strategy for exposures and detached structures and a defensive strategy for the involved barn.
The Engine 1, Engine 6, Engine 8, and Engine 10 crews were assigned initial water supply and attack. The crews fought the flames from the outside of the barn (defensive strategy) because of the size of the fire and unknown stability of the structure. The flames had burned through the roof at that point.
The Tower 1 crew was assigned primary search of the garage building.
The horses that were in the barn had exited and were outside in a fenced in area.
The barn had hay bales and equipment inside which were also burned in the fire. Hay fires are notorious for how difficult they are to put out because of their ability to retain heat. The hay will likely smolder for days and require monitoring.
The residents and animals were allowed to return once firefighters determined conditions were safe.
A PFA fire investigation has determined that the fire was accidental and caused by an ember that traveled from an open burn to a manure pile that was close to the barn.
The last PFA unit left the scene at 1:36 p.m.
ALWAYS keep five ft. of clear space around your home and all other structures. This is one of our top three recommendations for fire prevention, especially for people that live in more rural areas and the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).
🌧️How many of you are excited to see some moisture outside today? ✋
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but while this rain and snow are very welcome, they are not enough to make much of a difference in the dryness of the Front Range and overall wildfire risk in the area, even with the additional precipitation expected this week.
Even on this grey, wet day, do not breathe a sigh of relief. Wildfire risk is still here and not expected to go away anytime soon.
Be sure stay proactive especially if you live in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI):
• Clean your gutters so embers don't have a flammable place to land on top of your house
• Maintain at least 5 feet of clear space around your home (meaning no mulch or log piles, debris, or storage under decks)
• Install screens over gaps and vents to keep embers out
Not sure if you live in the WUI? Find out your risk here: qrco.de/WildfireRiskMap (link in bio too).
The screenshot of the risk assessment tool shows the western side of PFA's jurisdiction with Fire Station 9 marked.
#LiveWildfireReady #Colorado #FortCollins #PoudreFire #Wildfire
Engine 8 reunited a family after rescuing three ducklings from a storm drain near Brookfield Dr. and Precision Dr. in Fort Collins today.
Three ducklings fell down the drain and were trapped. The mom and five other ducklings were around the side of a building, hiding in a bush and hoping for the best.
The crew removed the storm drain grate and a crew member climbed about three ft. down to rescue the ducklings.
All nine were reunited and enjoyed a complimentary family photo.
#AnimalRescue #Ducklings #PoudreFire #FireService #FortCollins
