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Dangerous fire weather in Western Colorado this weekend.
Fire restrictions in place across much of the region
By Bob Berwyn
Update: The High Park Fire west of Fort Collins is growing fast and several hundred homes have been evacuated.
SUMMIT COUNTY — Some of Colorado’s most destructive wildfires have burned during the month of June and early July, including the Hayman Fire and the Coal Seam fires in 2002. Across many parts of the high country and West Slope, June is the driest month of the year, halfway between the snows of winter and the quenching monsoon rains of late summer.
Windy, dry and hot conditions sometimes persist for several days during the month, and this year is no exception. In fact, with the extremely early snowmelt and a string of months with well-above average temperatures, the stage is set for the possibility of dangerous and rapidly growing fires.
This weekend, visitors and residents to western Colorado need to be especially careful, with a Red Flag fire warning in effect across much of the region. Fire officials say it’s critical that everyone heed the fire restrictions posted for much of western Colorado yesterday. (more…)
Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, forest fires, forests, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: Coal Seam fire, Colorado weather, Hayman Fire, Red Flag warming, South Canyon Fire | Leave a Comment »
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