Journal 27: Bi-Annual Forest Debris Pick-up Q&A

Living in the mountains comes with breathtaking views and the shared responsibility to protect them. As a recognized Firewise community, Pinehaven takes wildfire prevention seriously through proactive efforts like our twice-yearly forest litter pick-up service. 

Fallen branches, pine needles, twigs, and other natural debris accumulating on the forest floor are commonly called "forest litter" or "woody debris." When natural debris is left unchecked for even a couple of years, it can dramatically increase the risk of a wildfire sparking to life.

Origins of Pinehaven’s Pick-up Program

Pinehaven’s forest litter pick-up program was launched in the mid-2010s by the newly formed Pinehaven Firewise Council. In 2025, Pinehaven joined other Cuchara-area subdivisions seeking Firewise USA® recognition, which requires a formal plan to reduce wildfire risk. The program gained urgency after the 2019 Spring Creek Fire, when firefighters reported that more substantial mitigation efforts might have prevented the loss of some of the 100+ structures destroyed.(1)   

In response, Pinehaven began hosting twice-yearly forest litter pick-ups, where residents rake and pile debris from their lots and nearby common areas. Because disposing of large amounts of forest material proved difficult for many, the HOA later began contracting a truck or trailer to collect and haul the piles of Debis. This eliminated the need for residents to make multiple trips to the remote county landfill.(2)   What began as a simple volunteer clean-up day has evolved into a structured, community-wide wildfire mitigation program that is supported by professionals and guided by Firewise principles. As a result, in the late-2021 wildfire risk analysis report, Pinehaven was highlighted as a “good model for what finished mitigation work can look like.”(3)  The bi-annual events have become social gatherings as much as workdays – neighbors bond over a shared mission to keep Pinehaven safe and beautiful. 

Got questions about Pinehaven’s twice-a-year debris pick-up? Here are the most common ones, along with the answers you need to know.

Purpose & Benefits

1. Why are we doing this? Fine fuels like pine needles and twigs are some of the most flammable materials around our cabins. Removing them helps:

• Lower the risk of ignition from lightning, sparks, or embers.
• Protect your cabin and other structures from loss.
• Create defensible space for firefighters.
• Decrease the risk of flames climbing from the ground to tree canopies.
• Strengthen our Firewise efforts as a community.
• Make insurance companies look more favorably on our community.

2. Is this required or just encouraged? It is strongly encouraged for the reasons mentioned above.

Timing & Scheduling

3. Is there a deadline or pickup window? Each year, two pickup days are scheduled. The first occurs around July 1, and the second at the end of September.

4. Do we all create our piles on the same day, or do we do it independently? We make the individual piles independently.

5. How far in advance will we be notified? You will usually receive an email from the HOA a few months ahead as a reminder.

Pile Specifications, Location & Placement

6. Where exactly should I put my pile? After creating a neat pile, place it near your driveway or property line by the road in a visible spot accessible from the road. Please keep the pile away from large rocks and stack the limbs horizontally in the same direction. The collection will be done by a skid steer tractor with a horizontal pick-up bucket, so giving them room to drive into the pile helps them work more efficiently.4  We also ask that you not block or obstruct the road or driveways in any way.

7. Do I need to tag or mark my pile with my cabin number? No.

8. What can I include in the pile? Pine needles, small twigs, small branches, pinecones, and leaves.

9. What should I NOT include? Logs or large branches, tree stumps, construction debris, trash, lumber, household waste, rocks, dirt, or sod, and anything over 6 feet long or tangled together.

10. What happens if someone puts out a prohibited item? It will be left there.

11. Is there a size limit to the pile? Please keep it manageable and neatly stacked. If you have a large amount, consider breaking it into two smaller piles for more effortless pickup.

Pickup Logistics

12. When will the haul-off company come? They come after the date that is announced in the HOA email.

13. Will it be a specific day or sometime during a range of days? Two pickup days are scheduled each year. The first occurs around July 1, and the second is at the end of September.

14. Do I need to be present when they pick it up? Nope! Just make sure your pile is in the designated spot by the announced deadline. The haul-off team will handle the rest.

Costs & Funding

15. Is this service free to homeowners? In addition to HOA funds and resident donations, Pinehaven supports this effort by seeking outside funding whenever possible. At times, we’ve successfully applied for state wildfire mitigation grants, used volunteer hours as in-kind matching contributions, and received additional support from the nonprofit Spanish Peaks Alliance for Wildfire Protection (SPAWP).

Firewise Program

16. Is it part of a fire mitigation grant? Your annual dues fund it as part of the HOA's fire mitigation program.

17. Does participating help with my homeowner’s insurance? There is a strong likelihood that it will. Many insurance companies offer a Firewise discount if you are part of a community-wide mitigation initiative such as this. Call your insurance company to find out if they offer a discount.

18. Is this part of a larger Firewise certification effort? Yes. Pinehaven’s Firewise efforts are part of a larger collaboration in Huerfano County.

19. Is the haul-off company available for hire for tree removal, mitigation, and hauling off forest litter on my personal property? Yes. John Albright from La Veta is available for hire.(4)  I’ve used John before and have always been completely impressed. He comes fully equipped, works safely, and knows exactly what he’s doing, especially in forested, mountain cabin areas. Plus, his reputation in the local community speaks for itself. He can be contacted by phone or text at (719) 859-1727.

Together, we can make Pinehaven safer, cleaner, and more resilient, one pile at a time.(5)

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Footnotes

Parenthetical numbers in the text (e.g., 5) correspond to the sequentially numbered citations listed below.

1. KOAA. “Spring Fire Highlights Need for Mitigation in Huerfano County.” KOAA, August 17, 2018. https://www.koaa.com/news/2018/08/17/spring-fire-highlights-need-for-mitigation-in-huerfano-county 

2. USDA Forest Service, Mitigating Mountains: A Partnership Solution to Wildfire Mitigation, Huerfano County, CO, prepared by CMAT, September 2018, PDF, https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_wysiwyg/mitigating_mountains_landscape_final91718.pdf 

3. Spanish Peaks Alliance for Wildfire Protection (SPAWP), La Veta Fire Protection District – Fire Behavior Analysis, final report, December 17, 2021, PDF, https://spawp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LVFPD_analysis_FINAL_12172021.pdf. 

4. John Albright, mitigation contractor, text message to author, July 23, 2025. He can be contacted by phone or text at (719) 859-1727.

5. Author’s note: In preparing this article, the author used AI-assisted tools for research support, proofreading, fact-checking, and stylistic refinement. The narrative, analysis, and historical interpretations are the author’s own, and responsibility for accuracy rests solely with the author. The blog’s research methodology statement is available at:

https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2019/03/methodology-sources-and-use-of-research.html