High Winds and Dry Air Raise Fire Threat in Western Colorado

The National Weather Service has warned that conditions across much of the Western Slope below 8, 000 feet are set for high fire risk through Tuesday night. Low humidity, soaring temperatures and strong winds make it easier for small fires to grow quickly. At Aspen, the fire chief said that even though the town sits at the upper edge of 8, 000 feet, the surrounding forests are still in danger. Compared to Grand Junction, where red flag warnings started earlier, Aspen’s fire conditions have worsened fast after an unusually dry winter and ongoing drought. “Strong winds, low humidity and dry fuels create a perfect storm for large fires, ” the chief explained. “We see this instability every afternoon, and the wind just makes it worse. ” Fire fuel dries out at different rates. Small fuels dry in an hour, while large trees take up to 1, 000 hours. The winter’s extreme dryness left the big fuels in the forest almost dry, so even a little more drying can trigger major fires.The chief noted that if afternoon storms had kept coming, the situation might not have become so critical. The National Weather Service predicts humidity will stay between 7 and 12 percent, a dangerous range that lets fires spread fast and unpredictably. “It’s like standing under power lines – the whole valley is on edge, ” he said. “If a fire starts today or tomorrow, it could be hard to control because of the drought and heat that’s coming. ” People in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley are aware of the danger. The drought has been severe for months, and there’s no sign it will ease soon. This summer marks the first time Aspen has hired a seasonal crew of seven firefighters and one lieutenant for wildfire readiness. Training has already begun, and nearby towns have also added seasonal teams. “Safety is our top priority, ” the chief said. “We must protect both ourselves and the community while we work to keep fires under control. ”