Larimer Fires Long Term Recovery Group Supports Fire Survivors with Resources

Monument Gulch, an area within the Poudre River Watershed, was severely burned during the Cameron Peak Fire of 2020.

Fort Collins, CO – The Larimer Fires Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG), formed in late August 2020, is actively assisting fire survivors as they rebuild their lives. Community members affected by the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire and East Troublesome Fire, are encouraged to contact our Case Managers to learn more about the different resources they are eligible for as they plan for spring and summer clean up and construction.  

LTRG Case Managers are standing by ready to help survivors. They can be reached at 970.232.1150 or LarimerFires2020@lfsrm.org. More information about the LTRG can be found online, https://larimerrecovers.org/larimer-long-term-recovery-group/.  The Larimer County Fire Recovery Fund (held at the United Way of Larimer County) will fund many of the fire survivors unmet financial needs. In order to access funds and submit financial assistance requests, fire survivors must meet with Case Managers.

Volunteers Needed This Spring

The Larimer County fires were officially contained in early December 2020; since then, the U.S. Forest Service, many County departments, watershed coalitions, property owners, and other organizations have been evaluating burn area reports and property damage assessments. These documents inform, and help prioritize, future fire mitigation and flood mitigation operations. Within the next few months, the LTRG will begin recruiting skilled and unskilled volunteers to serve during spring and summer Community Clean Up days in the burn areas. The community is encouraged to visit the centralized volunteer platform, https://www.nocovolunteers.org/, and create a volunteer profile. Once the Community Clean Up days are scheduled, those interested in fire recovery projects will be notified, and then they can sign up to help.

About the Larimer Fires Long Term Recovery Group

Long Term Recovery Groups are formed during disasters to start planning for recovery, even though the disaster may not have ended. Area agencies focused on human services and the natural environment come together and lead various committees that support survivors through every stage of recovery. LTRGs work closely with County Office of Emergency Management for a streamlined multi-sector approach to recovery. The Larimer Fires LTRG is co-chaired by Carrie Olenick of Volunteers of America (VOA) and Claire Bouchard of United Way of Larimer County (UWLC). With more than 30 active partners, the LTRG is able to tap into case management, emotional support and wellbeing resources, material donations, debris removal, home construction advice, and more. https://larimerrecovers.org/larimer-long-term-recovery-group/