Black Forest at a glance for fire recovery

Jurisdiction
Unincorporated El Paso County; permits through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, land use through the county
Fire protection
A local fire protection district rather than the city fire department; confirm which serves your address
Water and waste
Private wells and septic systems are typical
Heating fuel
Propane is common; many homes also burn wood
Lots
Multi-acre parcels with long driveways and outbuildings
Vegetation
Dense ponderosa pine forest mixed with meadows

Why recovery looks different here

The 2013 Black Forest Fire spread through dense pine on a hot, windy June day and destroyed hundreds of homes across the area. Recovery after that fire involved much more than houses: burned wells and pump houses, damaged septic systems, propane tanks, barns, fences and acres of dead trees. For years afterward, owners dealt with tree removal, erosion and replanting alongside rebuilding.

Even a smaller fire today, such as a single house or outbuilding fire, plays out differently than in the city. Engines may need to carry water in, so driveway width and turnarounds matter. Utilities are spread across the property. Insurance questions extend to other structures, trees and the systems that make the house livable.

Houses in Black Forest vary widely, from 1970s and 1980s ranches and A-frames to large custom homes and post-2013 rebuilds. Many have wood decks, large windows facing the trees and wood siding, though newer homes often use more fire-resistant materials.

Order of recovery on a forested lot

  1. Confirm safety

    Have the propane supplier and electric provider check their equipment, and watch for hazard trees with burned bases.

  2. Restore water

    Have the well, pump and controls inspected and the water tested before drinking it.

  3. Check the septic

    Look for damage from heavy vehicles and have the system evaluated if anything looks wrong.

  4. Clean or rebuild the house

    Smoke cleanup or reconstruction follows once the basic systems are safe.

  5. Deal with the land

    Remove dead trees near structures and plan for erosion control on burned slopes before summer storms.

Common choices after a Black Forest fire

  • IfScorched pines stand near the house or drivewayThenHave an arborist or forester judge which trees will survive and which are hazards.
  • IfThe house survived but the trees around it burnedThenExpect smoke and ash cleanup inside, plus exterior cleaning and possibly erosion work.
  • IfAn outbuilding held the well controls or generatorThenPlan for temporary systems and ask how other-structures coverage applies.
  • IfYou are rebuildingThenConsider wider driveway access, defensible space and ember-resistant construction from the start.
Map of Black Forest. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

Who handles building permits in Black Forest?
Building permits for unincorporated El Paso County go through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. Land use and zoning questions go to El Paso County planning. Confirm both for your parcel.
Is there help with forest thinning?
Local fire districts, the Colorado State Forest Service and community wildfire groups have offered guidance and programs at times. Ask your fire protection district what is currently available.

General information for Colorado Springs, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.