Smoke carried on the wind from regional wildfires is creating a blue haze in Southwest Colorado. With it, comes a warning.
This year is shaping up to be like 2002 when the Missionary Ridge Fire happened, said Paul Hollar, emergency manager for Montezuma County.
The twin Missionary Ridge and Animas Valley Fires in La Plata County devoured 70,662 acres of land and 56 homes after a dry spring in Colorado. Two years prior, the Bircher and Pony Fires consumed more than 20,000 acres on Mesa Verde.
There were several devastating fires in Colorado during the ultra-dry year of 2002, including the Coal Seam Fire in Glenwood Springs and the massive Hayman Fire on the Front Range. The Hayman Fire was the largest wildfire ever in Colorado, charring 138,000 acres.
Similarly dismal levels of precipitation this spring could make for a raging wildfire season later this year. Cortez precipitation for May is at 3 percent of normal, said Jim Andrus, local weather monitor.
May sure has been the hottest, driest month this year, he said.
Local fire organizations say spring is a good time to remove dead branches and brush from around your home.
Homeowners can use the landscape around their home to protect their family and valuable property from wildfire.
For those living near forests or heavily wooded areas, fire officials recommend removing all flammable material in a five-foot radius from the home.
To create a defensible space of 30 feet around a home, it is suggested that weeds and grass be trimmed and irrigated, shrubs kept to a minimum, and tree branches be pruned below 10-feet high. Firewood piles should also be kept 30 feet away from the home.
Wildland Fire Education Specialist Rebecca Samulski said structural ignitability of a home can be reduced by cleaning leaves and rubbish out of gutters and out from under wooden decks as well as using non-flammable roofing.
Hot embers from a wildfire can travel up to one mile, Samulski said.
Additionally, fire officials recommend having a wide enough driveway for fire trucks to access homes and be able to turn around afterwards.
It is also helpful to have a family emergency plan should an evacuation become necessary. Important family documents and medications should be kept in an accessible and portable container to be grabbed during a quick evacuation.
Food, water and supplies should also be on hand if a home lose electricity. Emergency supplies should also be stowed in family vehicles.
While fires started by lightning strikes are unpredictable, controlled burns can be prepared for ahead of time. For this, it is recommended to burn small piles or grass sections at a time, have plenty of water on hand, and call Cortez dispatch at 565-8441 before burning.
More information is available at www.ready.gov, www.southwestcoloradofires.org, or by calling Samulski at 564-4007.
Reach Reid Wright at reidw@cortezjournal.com