Why It Matters
Colorado faces significantly increased wildfire danger this summer, with drought conditions affecting the entire state and limited firefighting resources available as neighboring states confront similar threats. The warning comes as 18% of Colorado experiences exceptional drought and nearly 60% faces extreme drought.
What Happened
Governor Jared Polis announced Thursday that Colorado faces heightened wildfire risk during June and July, citing current drought conditions and long-term climate factors. The governor made the announcement at a news conference in Broomfield while presenting the state’s annual wildfire forecast.
Polis pointed to this year’s drought, combined with population growth in fire-prone areas, as key drivers of the elevated risk. Officials said the state’s firefighting capacity will be stretched by the challenging conditions.
By the Numbers
As of Thursday, 100% of Colorado was experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions. Exceptional drought affected 18% of the state, while extreme drought covered 58.5% of Colorado’s land area.
The state typically sees 6,000 to 7,000 fire starts annually. Officials said Colorado can expect at least that many this year, with greater risk that individual fires will grow into major incidents rather than being quickly contained.
Resource Constraints
Mike Morgan of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control said the state’s firefighting resources will face significant pressure. Because neighboring states are drawing from the same pool of federal firefighters and aircraft while facing similar fire conditions, Colorado will be limited in its ability to assist other states.
Morgan said Colorado does not anticipate being able to share its state-owned and contracted firefighting planes and helicopters with other states as it typically does. He attributed the challenging conditions to insufficient rainfall and snowpack.
What’s Next
The governor urged Coloradans to exercise extra caution and proclaimed May as wildfire awareness month. State officials will continue monitoring conditions throughout the summer fire season, with particular attention to June and July when risk is expected to peak.