Following the Cameron Peak Fire in 2020, which burned over 65,000 acres of the Big Thompson Watershed, City of Loveland Utilities partnered with the City of Greeley and the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct a multi-year study on wildfire impacts to local water quality. The study analyzed post-fire water data from the North Fork Big Thompson River, a key source of Loveland’s drinking water.

 

• Quantified Impacts: This study provided clear, measurable evidence that wildfire led to significant increases in nutrients, metals and sediment in our watershed, many far exceeding normal levels.
• Long-Term Effects: The study confirmed that post-fire impacts can last for years, meaning sustained monitoring and mitigation are essential to protect water safety over time.
• Localized Insight: Every watershed responds differently to fire. By studying our own region, we can tailor treatment strategies and land management efforts based on real conditions in Loveland’s source water, rather than relying on generalized wildfire data.
• Better Predictive Power: Using an advanced method called Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge and Season (WRTDS), researchers compared post-fire water quality to more than a decade of pre-fire data. This allowed us to separate wildfire-driven changes from normal seasonal shifts, making our water protection efforts more targeted and effective.

Protecting our power

 

On the electric side, the City is one of just 11 utilities nationwide selected to participate in the American Public Power Association (APPA) and Argonne National Laboratory Wildfire Mitigation Project, running through September 2026.The project helps public utilities assess wildfire risks to electric infrastructure and develop customized strategies to prevent damage and improve resiliency.

 

What  we are doing:

• Drone inspections with infrared imaging spot potential equipment failures before they happen.
• Pole testing ensures structural integrity; weak poles are replaced.
• Vegetation management reduces the risk of trees and brush igniting fires near power lines.
• System hardening with fire-resistant equipment can limit infrastructure damage and speed up recovery.

 

What this means for you

These wildfire preparedness efforts ensure that Loveland’s essential services remain resilient in the face of increasing wildfire threats. By studying our own watershed, we can detect and manage long-term water quality impacts with greater accuracy and optimize treatment strategies. On the electric side, proactive measures prevent outages, reduce damage and enable faster recovery after fire events. Together, these actions mean a stronger, safer utility system—designed specifically for Loveland’s unique wildfire risks.

September is Emergency Preparedness Month— time to boost your readiness.

 

All City of Loveland employees are trained in emergency response, but anyone can take FEMA’s free online courses. Through the Independent Study Program, you can learn about the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and earn certification at your own pace.

 

 

 

Resource Links:

FEMA training
APPA Wildfire Mitigation Project
U.S. Geological Survey