Concern rises about repeat of Waldo Canyon, Black Forest wildfires
With 2017 off to a dry start, many people worry that conditions could lead to major wildfires this spring and summer, as was the case during the 2012 Waldo Canyon and the 2013 Black Forest wildfires.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, Colorado Springs received 1 inch of precipitation in February 2016 and 0.07 inches this February.
By comparison, Pueblo received 0.33 inches last February and 0.17 this February.
In February 2012, Colorado Springs received 0.29 inches and Pueblo received 0.60 inches.
“We’re far behind where we were in 2012,” a NWS spokesman said.
Scott Campbell, fire management officer for El Paso County, said winter months in the region are normally dry but have been drier this year because of more windy weather.
“I’d say our fuel samples aren’t showing it’s been an abnormally dry year,” he said. “But the moisture that’s actually received on the ground, may or may not show it. We don’t watch that as much.”
Much of southern Colorado east of the Continental Divide is experiencing moderate or severe drought conditions.
Campbell said there’s no reason to worry — yet.
“There are some similarities in there,” he said. “But it’s a little early to start having catastrophic guesses for what the season might be. It all depends on what the weather’s going to do. A few storms could change things entirely.”
More concerning that the drought, Campbell said, is the large amount of potential fire fuels from vegetation that grew during wet weather after the two wildfires.
“It just stays and doesn’t decompose that quickly,” he said. “Unless you mow it or (livestock) graze on it. “It can be left over for 15 years. We didn’t have this much fuel during those fires.”
Danzig McGough was stationed at Fort Carson during the Waldo Canyon fire.
“Seeing those flames was nerve-wracking,” he said.
McGough now has a wife and two daughters, and lives near the Colorado Springs Airport.
“I’m worried about fires because there’s a big patch of high weeds on vacant land behind our neighborhood,” he said. “But I’m also worried about my yard. It’s so dry that it doesn’t hold water well. I may have to water it every day. That means higher water bills.”
But being a professional gardener should help McGough keep his lawn and flowers green.
