DENVER — A fire burns in Colorado, scorching thousands of acres near Rangely. On Tuesday, that fire swelled to over 16,000 acres.
The fire brings to mind a reality for Colorado that many have forgotten during a very wet spring for the Front Range corridor — fire danger season is approaching and for many, is already here.
With the massive fire burning in northwest Colorado, many eyes turned to current watches and warnings. Parts of Clear Creek, Douglas, Gilpin, Jefferson, and Park Counties have fire warnings, known as red flag warnings, and experts agree the danger will only increase as summer approaches.
While many wildfires are caused by natural causes like lightning, the present danger is a reminder that humans cause a significant number of wildfires in Colorado.
Here are some tips to be aware of and watch for:
1.) Campfires should be properly extinguished using water, dirt and mix it together until the fire no longer gives off heat and all embers are extinguished.
2.) Cigarette butts should not be discarded on the side of the road, as they can spark wildfires very easily.
3.) Projects like outdoor welding and other similar activities should be suspended while red flag warnings persist.
4.) When winds are high and fire danger accompanies the wind, avoid all open fires and consider suspending outdoor grilling.
5.) Watch Denver7's watches and warnings to know if there is an alert in your area.
