Despite Moderate Danger, Wildfires Still Breaking Out In Colorado
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The monsoon weather helped lower the fire danger in Colorado over the last month or so. Right now most of Colorado is listed under the moderate category.
There are approximately 18,000 firefighters spread out across the West, and when CBS4's Jeff Todd talked to state fire officials on Wednesday, they said many personnel who are normally stationed in Colorado are gone, helping fight fires in other states.
Todd found only two crews posted at the Dillon Ranger District Headquarters. But while Colorado is in the moderate category, last week showed just how dangerous conditions still are.
The Red Canyon Fire in Glenwood Springs exploded in just an afternoon from 3 acres to nearly 200. That was on a day with some significant monsoon moisture and lower than normal temperatures.
There has been some fire activity the likes that had not been seen before, and with all the other active fires further north and west of Colorado, resources are hard to come by. Fire officials say more of that should be expected.
The weather this week is really drying out the fuel and fire season will stick around until significant snowfall starts to build.
For the region which includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, there have been 2,000 fires so far this year and over 250,000 acres burned. There are still several weeks to see those numbers go up.
Wildfire Resources
- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.
- Read recent Wildfire stories.
Wildfire Photo Galleries
- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.
