Drought could cause more dust storms

Dry conditions and windy weather can fuel a dangerous mix. A dust storm on Sunday shut down a portion of Interstate 25 near the El Paso and Pueblo County lines, and several drivers got into accidents.

Troopers say drivers could only see about 50 feet in front of them.

“(Drought) It’s been a huge problem,” says Greg Langer with Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Sgt. Ortiz says the dirt in the dust storm came from a nearby ranch.

“In these dry conditions grass doesn’t have a chance to grow back. It compounds the problem,” says Langer. He says horses grazing can be rough on grass.

Langer says the top soil is the most important.

“If top soil gets blown away, deposited in ditches, then the nutrient value of that soil is pretty much gone,” he says.

Fortunately no one was seriously hurt from the crashes during this dust storm. But with only a 30 percent chance for some precipitation this week, it’s hard to say what will happen next.