Slash Drop-Off Locations

While doing proper fire mitigation around homes here in Coal Creek Canyon is crucial, getting rid of the significant amount of slash that is generated can be challenging. Fortunately, there are several options to haul slash away and remove the material from your property.

Boulder County’s Nederland Sort Yard

The Nederland Sort Yard accepts a wide variety of forest material that can be dropped off free of charge.

Gilpin County’s Transfer Station

Gilpin County’s Transfer Station, located on Highway 119 in Blackhawk just north of Taggert’s gas station, accepts slash and small logs at no charge for Gilpin County residents.

Jefferson County Slash Collection Days

Jefferson County sponsors slash collection days at various locations throughout the summer, including a couple right here in Coal Creek Canyon – usually one at Coal Creek Fire Station 2, and one down in Blue Mountain.

Residential Building Planning & Permits

Residential building planning and permits can be acquired through your specific county. View information on your counties building permit:

Finding You in an Emergency!

Reflective address signs allow the fire department to quickly locate your home in the event of an emergency, when every second counts. Coal Creek Canyon Volunteer Fire Department is continuing its sale of green address signs.

The signs (made of 100% aluminum) measure 6″ w x 18″ h and come with pre-drilled holes for easy installation (mounting hardware is NOT provided). White reflective, fade-resistant, address numbers appear on both sides of the sign. Each Reflective Address Sign costs $25 (including shipping). Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

If you have additional questions about the Reflective Address Sign, call 303-642-3121.

To order a sign, simply print out and complete the order form, then mail it with your check (payable to Coal Creek Canyon Fire Protection District) to:

Coal Creek Canyon Fire Protection District
P.O. Box 7187, Crescent Branch
Golden, CO  80403

Fire Hydrants

Fire hydrants are located in Blue Mountain Estates sub-division, at the entrance to Coal Creek Canyon. Some are present near Plainview, and a few below Gross Dam.

Map Your Nearest Route To A Station

Fire Extinguisher 

A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the #1 priority for residents is to get out safely.

Safety tips

• Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing; everyone has exited the building; the fire department has been called or is being called; and the room is not filled with smoke.
• To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:
  • Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
  • Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
  • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
  • Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.
• For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher (can be used on all types of home fires) that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle.
• Choose a fire extinguisher that carries the label of an independent testing laboratory.
• Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors often offer hands-on fire extinguisher trainings.
• Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.
• Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. 

Portable Fire Extinguishers and Children

Rather than teaching children to operate fire extinguishers, it should be reinforced to children to get out and stay out when there is a fire. Children may not have the maturity to determine if a fire is small enough to small enough to be put out by the extinguisher. They may not have the physical ability or know how to respond if the fire continues to spread.

Fireplaces & Wood-Burning Stoves

Unlike metropolitan areas, Coal Creek Canyon does not have any restriction on indoor fire burning. If you’re a new homeowner be sure to have your fireplace inspected prior to burning and maintain annual chimney inspections.

It’s always a good idea to have several smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and a fire extinguisher inside your home. Remember carbon monoxide is a color- and ordor-less poisonous gas.

• On average, 430 lives are lost in the US to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 80,100 non-fire carbon monoxide incidents in which carbon monoxide was found, or an average of nine calls per hour.
• Roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Follow these basics recommendations to reduce fire hazards:

1. Refrain from burning wet, or unseasoned wood as it releases more smoke and ultimately an increase in creosote build-up in your chimney.
2. As tempting as it is, don’t use your Christmas tree for firewood as they contain high levels of resin that can pop and increase your risk of a chimney fire.
3. Don’t burn plywood, partical boards, chip boards, or treated or painted timber. The chemicals released can be toxin to you and your family and can cause corrosion in your chimney.
4. Paper with colored ink, such as newspapers, magazines, and cardboard boxes release noxious, corrosive, or carcinogenic gases when burned.
5. Fire accelerants or fire starters can cause your fire to heat at too high of temperature and increase risk for a house fire.
6. Dryer lint can be a great fire starter, but also releases harmful toxins.
7.  Plastics release toxic chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, dioxins, and heavy metals, that are dangerous for your health and bad for the environment.
8. Dried-out drift wood may appear to be a good option, but can releases salt that is damaging to your fireplace and chimney.
9. Coal and charcoal burn hotter than wood and can increase the alloted temperature of your fireplace. In addition, they release more carbon monoxide than wood.

Safety In Your Home

Advanced warning and planning are your best chance to get out of your home during a fire. Fire spreads rapidly and often times homeowners only have 1 to 2 minutes to escape. Smoke alarms should be on every floor and inside every bedroom. Create and practice an escape plan with the whole family. And make sure to test your fire alarms every month!

Checkout additional information on home safety!

Did you know?

Between 2010-2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 15,970 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines each year. These fires resulted in annual losses estimated at 13 deaths, 440 injuries, and $238 million in property damage.

Propane & Gasoline

Did you know?

The leading equipment involving in propane gas home structure fires is a grill, hibachi, or barbecue?

Follow these safety tips with propane & gasoline:

Propane

• Handle any propane-powered equipment cautiously and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Cylinder tanks for equipment such as stoves and ovens must be located outside of the home.
• Never store or use propane gas cylinders larger than one pound inside the home.
• Never operate a propane-powered gas grill inside the home.
• Have propane gas equipment inspected periodically by a professional for possible leaks or malfunctioning parts.
• Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when lighting a pilot.
• If you smell a strong odor of gas, leave the area immediately and call the fire department from outside the home.

Gasoline

• Keep gasoline out of children’s sight and reach. Children should never handle gasoline.
• If fire does start while handling gasoline, do not attempt to extinguish the fire or stop the flow of gasoline. Leave the area immediately, and call for help.
• Do not use or store gasoline near possible ignition sources (i.e., electrical devices, oil- or gas-fired appliances, or any other device that contains a pilot flame or a spark).
• Store gasoline outside the home (i.e., in a garage or lawn shed) in a tightly closed metal or plastic container approved by an independent testing laboratory or the local or state fire authorities. Never store gasoline in glass containers or non-reusable plastic containers (i.e., milk jugs).
• Store only enough gasoline necessary to power equipment and let machinery cool before refueling it.
• Never use gasoline inside the home or as a cleaning agent.
• Clean up spills promptly and discard clean-up materials properly.
• Do not smoke when handling gasoline.
• Never use gasoline in place of kerosene.
• Use caution when fueling automobiles. Do not get in and out of the automobile when fueling. Although rare, an electrical charge on your body could spark a fire, especially during the dry winter months.
• Only fill portable gasoline containers outdoors. Place the container on the ground before filling and never fill containers inside a vehicle or in the bed of a pick-up truck.
• Follow all manufacturers instructions when using electronic devices (those with batteries or connected to an electrical outlet) near gasoline.

Emergency Preparedness

In a disaster, local officials and relief workers cannot reach everyone immediately. Help may not arrive for hours or days. You and members of your community need to be prepared ahead of time.

Most disasters are natural disasters, the result of some force of nature, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods. Some natural disasters can be predicted, such as hurricanes and severe winter storms, while others, such as tornadoes and earthquakes, happen with little or no warning. Some disasters are the cause of human actions, intentional or unintentional. A disaster plan will help with safety, security, and comfort. Regardless of the type of disaster, there are things you can do to prepare.