When the Alexander Mountain Fire flared at Loveland’s edge in summer 2024, City of Loveland Utilities sprang into action, activating teams to protect the City’s electric infrastructure and water supplies. Unlike the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire that burned 200,000 acres, this fire was contained to 10,000 acres. Still, both fires left lasting imprints on our watershed and communities long after the flames were extinguished.

Each year, wildfire remains an unpredictable threat in our region, and readiness takes more than emergency response. The City of Loveland and a network of partners including Northern Water, Larimer Conservation District, the Bureau of Reclamation, Loveland Fire and Rescue Authority and Big Thompson Watershed work together to stay wildfire-ready and safeguard community resources before, during and after a fire emergency.

Watch the video above, Wildfire Ready (2:44) , to learn how the City of Loveland is safeguarding our utility resources from fire. Or watch it on our YouTube channel: go.lovgov.org/wildfire-ready

Proactive planning

Electric crews work year-round to reduce fire risk and impacts. Most of Loveland’s electric system is underground. Crews take steps to prevent fire from reaching remaining overhead lines and equipment by:

• Clearing dry vegetation around equipment to remove fuel and improve access for maintenance or emergencies.
• Installing smart devices that detect problems and automatically manage electrical current to prevent sparks and equipment stress.
• Using drones to inspect fire-prone areas and identify equipment issues before they lead to overheating or ignition.

Because wildfires can contaminate local water sources, which supply the drinking water our community depends on, the Water Division prioritizes year-round watershed monitoring. By keeping a close eye on the forests, streams and land that feed into our source water, teams can spot risks early and prepare well before a wildfire or other emergency.

Crisis response

The Utilities Water Division uses a Source Water Protection Plan to guide wildfire response, from source water distribution to sampling, analysis and treatment. Remote sensors throughout the watershed deliver real-time data on pH, temperature and chemicals, giving staff a clear picture of how fire is affecting drinking water sources. They also track sediment and carbon levels from debris in the water that can clog filters or disrupt treatment.

With multiple water sources, including the Big Thompson River, Green Ridge Glade Reservoir and Charles Hansen Feeder Canal, Utilities can block, move or blend supplies as needed to avoid issues for any source. Our proactive monitoring and flexible water management allow staff to make immediate, informed decisions that keep Loveland’s water safe and reliable. 

Post-fire mitigation

Forest management after a fire is a critical safeguard that helps protect homes and drinking water sources from flooding. Burned soil often can’t absorb water, so runoff mixed with loose debris can rush into ditches and creeks to create fast-moving, dangerous flows. After the Cameron Peak and Alexander Mountain fires, the City’s water teams and partners used hydraulic modeling and survey data to pinpoint at-risk watershed areas and neighborhoods, showing how even small watersheds can play a big role in reducing damage.

The City hired a contractor to rehabilitate a key burn site up the canyon, where crews cut down charred trees and arranged the wood to build natural log jam structures throughout a narrow gully. Inspired by beavers, these structures trap sediment and slow harmful runoff to help stabilize the channel using only organic materials from the land. 

Along Cedar Creek downstream of a burn site, another City contractor installed portable container walls around homes to divert runoff after a sudden rainstorm sent the creek surging from one foot to more than five within minutes. With input from property owners, crews placed the walls to maximize flood protection. The City served as a local sponsor for both restoration projects in partnership with Larimer County and with grant money from the Emergency Watershed Protection Program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The City can’t stop every fire, but proactive forest work and strong partnerships help limit wildfire impacts to critical infrastructure, our water and power supplies, as well as protecting lives and properties.