BROOMFIELD — Gov. Jared Polis warned Coloradans on Thursday that there is a “significantly increased risk” of wildfire along the Front Range and in western Colorado this summer, particularly in June and July.
“We need to prepare,” Polis, flanked by the state’s top firefighters, said at a news conference in Broomfield where he unveiled the state’s annual wildfire forecast.
The governor said the drought this year, paired with the long-term consequences of a changing climate and the growing number of people moving into wildfire-prone areas, is making Colorado particularly susceptible.
Mike Morgan, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, said the state’s resources will be tested by the challenging conditions, especially as bordering states — which tap into the same pool of federal firefighters and aircraft — face similar fire risk.
One consequence: Morgan said Colorado doesn’t anticipate being able to share its state-owned and contracted firefighting planes and helicopters with other states like it usually does.
“We haven’t had enough rain and we haven’t had enough snow,” he said.
Polis told Coloradans to be extra vigilant and proclaimed May wildfire awareness month.
“We can’t control the weather, but we can control our readiness,” Stan Hilkey, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, said at the news conference. “We will continue to do our part. We hope the citizens of Colorado will also take responsibility.”
This is a developing story that will be updated.