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.
As of Thursday, the entire state was considered to be experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions. Eighteen percent of the state was facing exceptional drought, while 58.5% of the state was in extreme drought.
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.
In years like this one, Colorado can expect to maintain its average of 6,000 to 7,000 fire starts — at a minimum. But the big risk is that those fires grow into major disasters instead of being quickly extinguished.
Polis told Coloradans to be extra vigilant and proclaimed May wildfire awareness month.
Stan Hilkey, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, said at the news conference that Coloradans have a responsibility to keep the state safe.
“We can’t control the weather,” he said, ” but we can control our readiness. We will continue to do our part. We hope the citizens of Colorado will also take responsibility.”
Hilkey said Coloradans should think like a firefighter over the next few months: if it can cause a spark, be ready to put it out.