![](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023/03/West-Metro-Fire-Rescue-3.jpg)
How weather and climate are shaping ‘wildfire season’ in Colorado
Things are starting to warm up. The snow in the mountains is melting. Days are getting longer. All that can be a welcome change, but springtime in Colorado also means the wildfire season starts in earnest.
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By Joe Wertz
![20221229-DENVER-SNOW-COWX-WEATHER](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/12/20221229-DENVER-SNOW-COWX-HVANDENBURG-0005.jpg)
Icy weather, slick roads and more snow expected for much of Colorado today
The weather forecast shows high snowfall across the state, as well as increased avalanche warnings in the high country.
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Sheriff’s office says the Marshall fire investigation could be completed in early 2023
The probe into the cause of the wildfire is considering sources ranging from lightning, fireworks and campfires to underground coal mine fires, burning debris and sparks from electrical equipment.
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By Joe Wertz
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Wildfire burning near Fort Collins contained; all evacuations lifted
No injuries or major damage has been reported, but the County Road 21 wildfire burning near Fort Collins led to evacuations and is generating periods of heavy smoke, which spurred state health officials to issue an air quality alert.
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By Joe Wertz
![](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/09/monsoon-featured-image.jpg)
Colorado’s monsoon season is over. Summer rains were ‘hit and miss,’ and a warm, dry fall could be ahead
Veronica Penney/CPR News Colorado had a “hit and miss” monsoon season despite summer rainstorms that brought periods of intense rainfall and flash flooding to parts of the state, said Zach […]
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By Joe Wertz
![Terumo BCT's sterilization facility in Lakewood. Aug. 5, 2022.](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/08/220805-TERUMO-BCT-LAKEWOOD-INDUSTRIAL-SITE-ENVIRONMENT-KEVINJBEATY-11.jpg)
Ethylene oxide emissions from Lakewood plant could pose long-term risks to residents, says EPA. What does that mean?
In a statement, Terumo BCT said the plant is “extremely diligent” in its use of the toxic compound.
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By Joe Wertz
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Looking for answers, learning lessons six months after the Marshall Fire
Two people died, and more than 1,100 homes and other buildings were destroyed in the Marshall Fire, which hit neighborhoods in Louisville and Superior. Following the most devastating fire in Colorado history, investigators still haven’t specified a cause, but say they’ve learned a number of lessons from the blaze.
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By Joe Wertz
![A fire crew attends to a hot spot at the Simms Fire.](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/06/2022_05_22-10.51.39.493-CDT-scaled.jpeg)
Investigators say Colorado wildfire sparked by Forest Service, fueling more public fallout over controlled burns in the West
The Forest Service started the planned burning on May 16 on agency-managed land near Montrose. The resulting Simms wildfire spread rapidly through dry brush, grass and forested areas and burned about half a square mile of federal and private land.
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By Joe Wertz
![PUEBLO-COMANCHE-XCEL-ENERGY-COAL](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/02/210223-COMANCHE-PUEBLO-XCEL-004.jpg)
Two workers pronounced dead after being trapped in a coal pile at Pueblo power station
Rescue crews were called to the site at 8:30 a.m. to search for the two workers trapped under an 80-foot pile of coal.
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As Colorado wildfire season heats up, low pay and slow reforms could spell staffing trouble for federal firefighting efforts
Colorado’s wildfire season is now 78 days longer than it was in the 1970s, and the state is just now entering its predicted peak fire season.
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By Joe Wertz
![220512-COLORADO-SPRINGS-FIRES-4](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/FSly2rPXsAAlpq8-e1652394212839.jpg)
Colorado wildfires: Multiple wildfires in Colorado Springs spur evacuations, burn 8 structures at a mobile home park
A grass fire near the 6700 block of Ackerman Drive in Colorado Springs started around noon.
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Air quality, wildfires and building codes: Here are the climate bills headed to Gov. Jared Polis’s desk
And the bills that didn’t get passed.
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Fire officials want to create a powerful new body to enforce statewide wildfire building standards
The proposed wildfire code board would have wide-ranging authority over construction, remodels and land development in many of Colorado’s most populated areas.
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By Joe Wertz
![NCAR fire burns near Boulder's Table Mesa neighborhood. March 26, 2022.](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/03/220326-BOULDER-NCAR-WILDFIRE-FIREFIGHTING-KEVINJBEATY-13.jpg)
Colorado weather: Fire danger extremely high due to hot, dry and very windy conditions
There’s a rare warning of “extremely critical” fire weather across 16 counties in northeastern Colorado.
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Colorado Wildfires: Evacuation orders lifted in Boulder County, homes burn in Monte Vista
Residents are being evacuated from homes and businesses in Monte Vista in the San Luis Valley due to a wildfire burning near the city, local officials said.
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New UN climate report says the world has a brief window to avoid a deadlier climate future. Here’s what’s at stake in Colorado
More wildfires, longer droughts and decreasing water supplies are all on the line.
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By Joe Wertz