Staying Safe This Winter in Crystal Lakes

Preparing for a Safe Winter in the Mountains

Winter in Crystal Lakes is one of the things that makes living here so special — crisp mornings, quiet forests, and the smell of wood smoke in the air. But with our remote location, steep driveways, and reliance on wood, propane, and electric heat, it’s also a season that requires a little extra care to stay safe.

Your Crystal Lakes Volunteer Fire Department is here for you — and with a few simple precautions, you can help keep your home, family, and neighbors safe all winter long.

🔥 1. Heating Safety: Wood, Pellet, and Propane

Most Crystal Lakes homes use wood or pellet stoves as a primary or backup heat source, and propane or electric heaters to supplement.
Here’s how to keep them safe and efficient:

Have your chimney and stove pipe cleaned and inspected before the heating season begins.
Use a fireplace screen or closed stove door to contain sparks.
Store ashes in a metal container outside, away from decks, walls, and vegetation — embers can stay hot for days.
Keep flammable materials at least three feet away from any heat source, including space heaters.
Never leave a space heater unattended or running overnight.

💨 2. Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With wood, pellet, and propane heat, it’s especially important to have working smoke and CO alarms:

Test them monthly.
Replace batteries at least once a year.
Replace entire units every 10 years (check the date on the back).
Install CO detectors near sleeping areas and on each level of your home.

These alarms save lives every year — especially in cold months when homes are closed up tight.

🚪 3. Driveways, Access, and Address Signs

When you call 911, every second counts — and clear access helps us reach you faster.

Keep your driveway plowed wide enough for large fire trucks (12 feet wide minimum, ideally with room to turn around).
Mark any hazards (culverts, steep turns, narrow sections) with reflective stakes or flags.
Make sure your address sign is clearly visible from the road, day or night.
- Reflective address signs are available at Basecamp for a suggested donation of $7 — and they make a huge difference for first responders.
Gates are not permitted in Crystal Lakes for safety reasons — they can delay emergency response.

🚒 4. Water Supply and Access

Crystal Lakes does not have hydrants, so when we respond to a structure fire, we bring our own water in tenders (water trucks). That means:

Clear and maintain your driveway access for those larger vehicles.
Keep turnarounds open and snow berms cleared at your entrance.
If you have a cistern or pond that could serve as a water source, let us know — it can help us plan better response strategies for your area.

⚡ 5. Be Prepared for Power Outages

Winter storms can bring outages that last from hours to days.

Keep flashlights, extra batteries, and blankets ready.
Use battery-powered lanterns instead of candles.
If you use a generator, run it outside and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

❤️ 6. Help Us Help You

We’re proud to serve a community that looks out for one another.

Check in on neighbors who may need help during severe weather.
Keep emergency numbers handy and know your location details for 911 calls.
Consider joining us! Whether as a firefighter or in our Auxiliary, there’s a place for everyone at CLVFD.

Learn more at JoinCLVFD.com

Together, We’re Safer

Thank you for taking the time to prepare your home and property. Every step you take helps us respond more effectively when emergencies happen — and helps make Crystal Lakes an even safer place to live.

For more resources and updates, visit CLVFD.org or follow us on Nextdoor.