Colorado among leading states nationwide for current wildfires, July 4th fireworks fuel concerns
More than a half-dozen wildfires are burning in Colorado, torching thousands of acres from the Wyoming border to the San Juan Mountains. The state is a hot spot nationally for wildfires as the potentially combustible Fourth of July holiday approaches.
The fires, in part, have been fueled by several days of scorching heat across the state, with temperatures climbing over 100 degrees in widespread areas on Thursday. Weekend weather brings a cool down with a chance for showers and thunderstorms in northeastern and north central Colorado, but that weather system will move on quickly and its back to sunny skies and heat.
In southwestern Colorado, where the stubborn 416 fire has been burning since June 1, chances of a brief, cool, moist reprise is not likely anytime soon. The 416 fire, 13 miles north of Durango, has burned more than 41,600 acres and was 37 percent contained on Friday.
“The southwestern corner of the state is looking continually dry,” said Kyle Fredin, a meteorologist and spokesman with the National Weather Service.
The Spring fire, in Costilla County, has burned more than 28,000 acres and the blaze shut down U.S. 160 on Friday for safety precautions as well as to beef up fire suppression efforts along the highway, using a stretch of asphalt as a containment line.
#SpringFire continues to grow and has jumped CO 160 at mile point 384, near Huerfano County Road 442. CDOT and CSP will keep US 160 closed due to poor viability, heavy smoke and the fire's proximity to the highway. Check https://t.co/uOU0HHbUQ6 for latest closures. pic.twitter.com/3CYaHGhuo6
A relatively dry fall and winter in Colorado, especially in southwestern Colorado, has helped to set up tinder box conditions in the state. Combine ongoing summer heat with the dry fuels and wildfires can breakout with the slightest of sparks.
Since Thursday, three additional wildfires broke out in the state: Weston Pass fire, 12 miles southwest of Fairplay, about 1,269 acres; Divide fire, 24 miles northwest of Craig, about 120 acres; Stonemore fire, four miles west of Pueblo, about 137 acres; High Chateau fire, west of Cripple Creek, about 106 acres.
Colorado is among state leaders nationwide for wildfires currently burning, said Larry Helmerick, spokesman with the Rocky Mountain Coordination Center, which provides fire information for five states.
“This time of year, we get lightning going through areas, and we’re going to pick up fires. That is what’s happening now,” Helmerick said.
Recent fires burning throughout the state have forced evacuations and orders to stand by for evacuations. Some structures have been lost. There have been no reported deaths in the state associated with wildfires this season through Thursday. Health advisories, triggered by the dangers of smoke filled air, have been posted for cities and areas near wildfires, including in Durango and Pueblo.
Aggressive firefighting efforts in Colorado this season have lead to success in terms of structure protection and potential life-saving measures. The Buffalo fire, two miles west of Silverthorne, is 100 percent contained and was limited to 81 acres. The Golf Course fire, in Grand Lake, was about 60 percent contained Friday afternoon and had burned about 20 acres.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Kyle Swanstrom, right, a firefighter with a Type II hand crew with Idaho Department of Lands, chats with members of his crew after gearing up before heading out for the day on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Coty Newby, a firefighter with a Type II hand crew with Idaho Department of Lands, prepares his gear with his crew before heading out for the day on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Weary hot shot firefighters make their way to breakfast from fire camp before heading back out on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A firefighters with Grand Fire and Rescue gives a thumbs up to his rig as they move out of fire camp to head back on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Firefighters make their way back from breakfast at fire camp before heading back out on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A firefighter makes his way through tents at fire camp before heading back out on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Lucas Hight, left, and Brydon Proctor, middle, firefighters with a Type II hand crew with Idaho Department of Lands, check the engine of their truck in fire camp before heading out for the day on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A member of the Cedar City Hot shot crew cleans the windows of his rig before his crew heads back out on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Lucas Hight, middle, a firefighter with a Type II hand crew with Idaho Department of Lands, chats with members of his crew after gearing up before heading out for the day on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Thomas McClure, a firefighter with a type II hand crew from Mission Valley, Montana sharpens his hand tools before he and his crew head out onto the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Michael Umphrey, a firefighter with a Type II hand crew from Mission Valley Reservation in Montana, gets ready to head out for the day on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Cody Griffin, a crew boss with Idaho Department of Lands, oversees his crew as they prepare to head out for the day on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Mike Von Lintig, a firefighter with a Type II hand crew with Idaho Department of Lands, gets the daily briefing with his crew before heading out for the day on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Nick Olson, a firefighter with a type II hand crew from Mission Valley, Montana, is ready to hit the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Ben Hurd, a firefighter with a Type II hand crew with Idaho Department of Lands, gets ready to head out for the day on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Durango resident Ted Hood stands along Highway 550 and waves to firefighters as they head back out to the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. Hood has been standing along the firefighter's route every single morning for almost a week to show his support for the hundreds of people working the fire.
Along the northern Colorado border, the Badger Creek fire has burned about 20,800 acres in southern Wyoming. The fire, which started on June 10, is about 80 percent contained.
Fire officials and weather forecasters are hoping for an early and prolonged monsoon in Colorado this year. Long, steady rains will go a long way in helping to curb fires and prevent new outbreaks.
“The monsoon is not here right now, but we’re hoping to get through this rough spot right now and the monsoon will come and protect firefighters and the public,” Helmerick said.
There are early indications, based on weather patterns developing in the Gulf of Mexico, hinting to the formation of monsoon moisture that could head north and into Colorado.
Without monsoon, the Colorado fire season this year could drag out, much like the 1988 Yellowstone fires which started in June and burned through the summer and fall, until snows stamped them out.
“It’s going to be a tough summer, probably, in Colorado and especially the southwest,” Fredin said.
Meanwhile, fire officials across the state are bracing for the celebratory fireworks celebrations that salute Independence Day. Fire and police departments in the Denver metro area have posted warnings about illegal fire works and zero tolerance policies toward violations. Fire bans and restrictions have also been enacted by county sheriff’s around the state.
Even professional fireworks displays are being canceled because of continuing fire dangers. Aspen, Breckenridge, Durango, Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs are among the cities and towns that have canceled traditional fireworks displays.
Wildfires in the U.S.
The map shows active fire locations and all 2018 fire perimeters (not all fires have perimeter data, zoom in to see perimeters of smaller fires). To see all 2018 fire locations or to change the map background, click the map layers icon in the upper right corner of the map and click/unclick the boxes. Pinch or use buttons to zoom, or drag the map to see other areas; click a marker for details. Go to the full map and table.
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