Ask the Fire Chief

Do you want to know more about our Fire Chief?  

Marian Kelly was born in Santa Clara, California and she lived there for 18 years before having the sense to leave for Colorado (her words...lol).  She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and she graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.  Marian joined the department in 2003 and was the Assistant Chief from 2005 to 2009.  In addition to a large number of medical calls, she worked several structural fires, including the Red Feather Cafe fire, and wildland fires of various sizes, including several in the area of Lost Lake (she fought these fires in conjunction with the Forest Service and Larimer County Emergency Management).  Marian has more than 500 hours of training and she has completed numerous classes and certifications.  She became the Fire Chief for the Crystal Lakes Volunteer Fire Department in October 2009.     

Do you have a question you are burning to know the answer to? 

Simply ask the Fire Chief by filling out the form below.  All questions will be answered as quickly as possible, and the answers to any of general interest posted on this page.

Previously Asked Questions

What is the Crystal Lakes insurance rating?  The Crystal Lakes Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating is 9.

How do I know if there is a fire ban on?  Fire Ban notices will be posted in several places throughout Crystal Lakes on large white boards with red lettering which say "NO OPEN FIRES." If there is a fire ban, information on the ban will also be posted on this website on the Fire Bans page and on the Crystal Lakes website. 

What kinds of fire bans are there?  

Crystal Lakes - The Crystal Lakes Road and Recreation Board, upon the advice of the Crystal Lakes Fire Chief, may establish a fire ban in the Crystal Lakes subdivision as a necessary precaution based on current conditions.  This decision takes into account the weather, drought conditions, and other fire-danger signs specific to the Crystal Lakes Area (much of this information is available from links on the Local Area Wildfires page). Crystal Lakes fire danger may not be the same as in the rest of the county, and may not match the fire danger in Glacier View or Roosevelt National Forest -- different conditions exist in each location. The ban instated by the Board is on burning in Crystal Lakes only, and contravention of the ban may result in a visit from the fire dept (to extinguish the fire) and possible fines levied by the Association. 

Larimer County - Larimer county has the authority to instate fire restrictions of various levels, from a complete ban, in which no fires of any sort are allowed, to bans of any open flame that cannot be switched off, and so forth. County-wide fire bans apply to all areas of the county, including Crystal Lakes. Contravention of a county-wide fire ban may result in the same consequences as a Crystal Lakes ban, plus additional fines and possibly legal action by the county.

How do I join the fire department?  Congratulations for thinking about volunteering! See our Volunteering page for information on volunteering to become a firefighter or member of the auxiliary.

How can I find out what fires are burning in the area?  The U.S. Forest Service and Larmier County have websites and information lines on fires in the area. See our page on Local Area Wildfire page for how to access this information.

Where can I dispose of ashes from my fireplace?  There is an ash can in the trash compactor enclosure (map) where you may dispose of your ashes. Please DO NOT dump ashes near ANY flammable material, even if you think they're cold.

How can I get rid of branches and other organic debris resulting from fire mitigation on my property?  There are several options for removing such debris, known as slash.  Many of the companies which provide fire mitigation services also provide for the removal or chipping of slash.  Chips may not be larger than 2 inches, and will decompose back into the soil most effectively if they're less than 1 inch.  Slash may also be removed to the Larimer County landfill or taken to a business such as Slash Solutions on North County Road 73C for disposal.

Where do I find fire pit specifications?  The Crystal Lakes Road & Recreation Association (CLRRA) sets and supervises fire pit requirements for the Crystal Lakes area.  For specifications and inspections, contact the CLRRA through the Crystal Lakes website or by calling the office at (970) 881-2250.