(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — On Thursday, April 24, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention (DFPC) briefed Governor Jared Polis on Colorado’s 2025 Wildfire Preparedness Plan, and while most of Colorado will have a normal fire potential, some southern parts will likely be above normal.
According to the outlook, forecasts indicate that a normal fire potential is expected across Colorado from April through July, but Southern Colorado will likely experience above normal due to continued drought and expected hot, dry weather before the monsoon develops.
“In Colorado, we are no stranger to the impact of devastating wildfires,” said Governor Polis. “We remain focused on aggressively implementing effective mitigation efforts to prevent wildfires and ensure our brave firefighters have the resources needed to protect us and our communities when a wildfire starts. We understand that wildfire season is year-round, and that is why our mitigation efforts and investments in new technology, aerial equipment, and first responders are so important to the safety of the entire state. The federal cuts to wildfire services are troubling, and we continue to urge the administration to remain at the table with states.”
Southeast Colorado will continue to see increased large potential during the pre-green-up period through April. According to the outlook, historically, that means in early spring, there may be short-lived episodes of elevated fire potential in lower elevations, especially along and east of the Front Range Foothills and the San Luis Valley.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Southern Colorado is under drought conditions, with parts of Conejos and Archuleta Counties experiencing D3- Extreme Droughts. On April 10, the National Weather Service (NWS) Pueblo launched a Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado that showed drought had worsened over four weeks in areas over and near higher terrain and portions of the southeast Plains.
Fire potential in May will be normal across the entire state, in June southwestern Colorado will see above normal potential due to the drought and anticipated hot, dry weather.
According to the NWS’ statement, drought conditions look to persist and expand across south central and southeast Colorado through the rest of Spring and into early Summer.
In preparation for the 2025 fire season, the Rocky Mountain Region of the USDA Forest Service is hiring up to 50 temporary wildland firefighters and support positions across national forests and grasslands in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
