DENVER — As temperatures soar and moisture stays scarce, fire crews across Colorado are sounding the alarm. While Metro Denver has yet to issue formal fire restrictions, officials warn that could soon change.
Over the weekend, multiple small fires broke out in the Denver area, including one near Eaglecrest High School in Aurora on Sunday. Firefighters with South Metro Fire Rescue responded quickly after neighbors reported fireworks and found tall, dry grass burning along a fence line near homes.
“It was slow moving in light vegetation,” said Brian Willie of South Metro Fire Rescue. “Got up along the fence line at some houses.”
Crews extinguished the flames swiftly, but Willie emphasized that any spark poses a major threat right now.
“It’s scary because it is so combustible and so dry,” he said. “We’re heading into a very, very hot week with absolutely no water to be seen coming from Mother Nature.”
Statewide Fire Activity Ramps Up
On the Western Slope, multiple wildfires are active—including the Elk Fire near Meeker, where Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency on Sunday. More than two dozen aircraft, including helicopters and air tankers, are currently deployed statewide.
In Durango, the airtanker base set a new record, delivering over 130,000 gallons of fire retardant on Sunday alone, distributed across four fires.
“There’s a lot of resources being used,” Willie said. “We just can’t stress enough: please be careful and watch what you’re doing.”
Fire Weather Outlook
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Temperatures: Upper 90s expected all week
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Precipitation: No rain in the forecast
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Warnings: Red flag warnings in effect across western Colorado
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Restrictions: In place in Elbert, Lincoln, and Kit Carson counties
As fire season intensifies, firefighters urge Coloradans to stay alert, avoid open flames, and report suspicious activity immediately.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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