Colorado Fires Could Be Bigger, More Dangerous
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP/CBS4) -- Colorado's state forester is warning that wildfires may get bigger and more dangerous because of dry conditions.
Despite recent rain and snow along the Front Range, it only takes 10 days of dry conditions to bring back the extreme fire threat.
Gov. John Hickenlooper delivered his annual briefing on the state's fire danger Thursday. He said there is a strong cooperation between firefighting agencies. He also said every person in Colorado has a responsibility to prevent wildfires.
"We need to recognize that all Coloradans, every Coloradan, plays a role in wildfire protection and prevention. People have to be very aware of that this year because there is so much additional fuel this year with the consequences of the beetle kill epidemic. It means that careless activity of starting a wildfire has the real potential to be catastrophic. We want to make sure that we limit human-caused ignitions as much as possible," said Hickenlooper.
Typically, the fire danger in Colorado starts to increase in June. This year the fire season is under way. Hickenlooper has already toured two major fires, including the Crystal Fire in Larimer County that destroyed 13 homes.
"Everyone things it's not going to happen to them. But, the reality is, it could happen anywhere in Colorado," said Hickenlooper.
State Forester Jeff Jahnke said Thursday that high winds and dry forests are making it more difficult to send in firefighters to fight blazes on the ground. He says they may have to rely more on equipment.
Jahnke said the public needs to understand that not all fires can be quickly contained.
Hickenlooper said defensible space around homes is key and there should also be safe access to people's homes. One in six homes in Colorado is in a place at risk of a wild land fire.
"That the fire isn't going to encroach and easily set their home on fire and also, that we have access for firefighting crews to get at the fire fight," said Hickenlooper.
Hickenlooper said the state is prepared for an extended fire season after major fires in January and February.
Fire season usually runs from May to September, but the state had 64 fires in March.
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