Drought and Wildfire

After a warm dry winter, wildfire season looms for Western Colorado, already ravaged by the Lee and Elk fires the previous summer. The Town of Carbondale in the Roaring Fork Valley is teaming up with Dr. Hussam Mahmoud of Vanderbilt University to explore high-tech wildfire prevention.

The Carbondale and Rural Fire District covers a swath of land stretching from McClure Pass to Missouri Heights and a good chunk of the Hwy 82 corridor. Voters there will decide a ballot question asking for more money for firefighting and other emergency services. Citizens for a Safe Community is campaigning for the measure. Meagan Holland spoke with KDNK’s Mike Lemmer about why she supports it.

KDNK's News Director Morgan Neely brings listeners Friday's updates from the Roaring Fork Valley and Beyond, including a look inside this week's first-ever State of the Arts Symposium at TACAW.

A new study shows wildfires are burning more high-elevation areas, and that’s impacting the snowpack across the West.

KDNK's News Director Morgan Neely has Tuesday's news, including an update on the arrest of New Castle Police Chief Tony Pagni.

A new study shows that many Americans living in wildfire-prone areas have homes that are not built with wildfire in mind.

The Oil Springs Fire, south of Rangely, burned more than 12,000 acres, beginning in June, and is now 99% contained. Drought conditions and heavy winds…

An air quality health advisory is in effect for Garfield and neighboring counties. The Bureau of Land Management reported spot fires in Garfield County…

This is the 22nd consecutive year of drought in the Colorado River Basin. And, with extreme drought conditions comes increased risk of wildfires. From…