Fire Questions/Discussions https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/topics.aspx?forum=256197 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:09:26 GMT Sun, 25 Jan 2026 16:25:07 GMT Copyright © 2026 National Forest Homeowners Read Me First https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1634337 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1634337 The Fire Topics forum follows the same protocols as the primary Ask the Community General Topics forum. While anyone can view forum questions/responses, only Members who have signed-in can enter a post or response. We ask our members to engage in discussions respectful of other opinions and different points of view. Please see the Read Me guidelines under the General Topics forum for additional instructions regarding how to enter a question/response.

 

]]> Tue, 28 Sep 2021 21:18:33 GMT fire extinguisher https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1842755 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1842755 Sun, 25 Jan 2026 17:25:07 GMT Firewise Certification https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1720625 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1720625 Wondering if there are any cabin tracts who have obtained Firewise Certification?  If so, would like a contact.  Thanks

Bunny Krall, Mount Laguna Improvement Association

]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2022 22:32:36 GMT Cabin Insurance - Fire Defense Protection https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1718255 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1718255 Fri, 2 Dec 2022 17:47:23 GMT Resale of rebuilt cabins https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1641850 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1641850 Our cabin was lost in the Caldor Fire.  Does anyone who rebuilt on a site after a fire have any knowledge of if the cabin would have any resale value? We are hoping to rebuild, but we would like some reassurance that if we ever want to sell there will be a market for a cabin in a burned area.

Thank you!

Kirsten

]]> Wed, 1 Dec 2021 23:08:16 GMT appeal process after USFS denial to rebuild? https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1640877 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1640877 Mon, 22 Nov 2021 19:01:41 GMT Fire Insurance Rebuild https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1640617 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1640617 Fire Insurance Rebuild
 
Has anyone had an experience where they lost their cabin to a fire and were not allowed to rebuild? If so did their insurance cover the loss even though they were not allowed to rebuild?]]> Thu, 18 Nov 2021 22:24:00 GMT Fire Insurance Rebuild https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1640615 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1640615 Thu, 18 Nov 2021 22:16:11 GMT Closing the Forest to cabin owners https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1633535 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1633535 I was just informed (the day of) that we were not able to go to our cabin until tonight (9/22) at midnight, restricting access for a week.  This has never happened in the 60 plus years we have owned our cabin.  The reasoning was due to limited resources and fire danger.  This makes zero sense.  Restricting access to hikers, bikers, campers, etc. during high fire season makes sense, but to restrict you from using your place does not.  What does a week make?  There is always fire danger.  I consider cabin owners "stewards" of the forest and keep a watchful eye on it and ensure brush is cleared properly to prevent fires.

This scares me.  They can deny access at a whim?  In the meantime, Cal Trans is working every night on the highway with big equipment which easily could spark a fire.  They even left a huge berm on our entrance road (over 6") making it difficult to get out.  I have complained to them for over a month and they have sent it around to different agencies and still has not been fixed.

What do you think about this closure?

 

]]> Thu, 23 Sep 2021 00:05:25 GMT Rebuilding destroyed structures - R5 size restrictions https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1616890 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1616890 During the Bobcat Fire (Sep '20) our tract lost 17 cabins and approximately two dozen auxiliary structures (sheds & outhouses) on other lots. As we work with the Forest Service on rebuilding determinations, the Region 5 size restrictions on outbuildings has now come up - a total square footage of 40 sq ft for all auxiliary structures counted together. Obviously many of the older cabins had larger outbuildings, particularly as we are a hike-in tract - everything that is carried into the canyon generally remains here!

We are only looking to rebuild what was already there and I know our permit administrator is trying to work with us but the regulations for R5 are very clear and pretty draconian. Does anyone in Region 5 have any experience or suggestions on how to make it easy for her to grant exceptions in these cases? 

Thanks in advance

Ben Fitzsimmons

President, Big Santa Anita Canyon Permittees Association, Angeles National Forest.

]]> Wed, 2 Jun 2021 19:30:05 GMT Denny Creek cabin WA rebuild https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1599275 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1599275 hi everyone 

over a year ago our cabin in denny creek wa, snoqualmie pass burnt down in a freak accident .. no one was there so no one was hurt thank god .. its a total loss .. ive been trying for over a year to rebuild this 380 sq ft off grid cabin but have had no luck except from massive building companies who what to turn this into a 100k job which we just can not afford. 

it took me 12 years to buy one and i only had it for a little over a year 

i was hoping someone may have some connections in the area / know some builders ect 

any help/advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated 

thanks in advance 

Jen 

]]> Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:45:23 GMT Oregon wildfire losses https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1576396 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1576396 Recent Oregon wildfires ravaged the Willamette National Forest and the surrounding communities, destroying nearly all of the cabins in the Breitenbush/Devils Creek tract. While we were lucky enough to not lose any cabins in the Stahlman tract, we did lose a significant portion of the water system which serves our 70 cabins. Is anyone aware of government resources, FEMA, EPA, etc., available that would offer assistance in rebuilding our system?

]]> Sun, 11 Oct 2020 14:48:11 GMT Cerro Grande Fire https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1555218 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1555218 Was the Cerro Grande Fire in May 2000 in New Mexico the prescribed burn that got out of control and burned SUP cabin/summer homes?

If so how many cabins were lost, were they able to rebuild, and was there any money recovered from the FS? 

If this was not the prescribed burn that got out of control in New Mexico and burned SUP Cabins what was the name of the and year of the fire? Was there any other prescribed fires that got out of control that burned SUP cabins?

Is this the reason that in our SUP under IV. Rights and Liabilities D. Risk of Loss states:  "fire and any fire-fighting activities (including prescribed burns)"

Link to Cerro fire: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerro_Grande_Fire

Any information would be helpful.

Cliff Conner-Coash

Past President URRCA

]]> Mon, 8 Jun 2020 02:57:20 GMT Preventing Forest Fires in Our Summer Home Group https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1533879 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1533879 I recently received the following comment/questions from a cabin owner via our Colorado outreach network – “My concern at this time is taking measures this summer to prevent forest fires in our summer home group. We need the help of the forest service not only in an overall plan for our 16 cabins, but also with removing trees and undergrowth. What are the responsibilities of our forest service employees to do this? What has been done in other areas by the forest service? I think our office feels it is understaffed to be able to help. We need to start a dialogue and have a stronger relationship.” Any advice cabin community?"

 

]]> Fri, 13 Mar 2020 01:24:47 GMT Advice for meeting with local ranger on rebuilding after fire https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1484252 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1484252 Sat, 20 Apr 2019 02:20:09 GMT