Memorial Day may be the unofficial start of summer, but Colorado’s wildfire season is already underway

With the Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start of summer, Colorado officials are calling on residents and visitors to be responsible in an effort to prevent wildfires.

Drought conditions vary across Colorado, with some areas experiencing extreme drought and other locations showing no drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. But wildfires can occur regardless of drought conditions.

“You never want to be that person that creates a wildfire and puts your local community in danger,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife Public Information Officer Bridget O’Rourke said. “Colorado State Parks have designated campfire pits and grills. If you’re allowed to have campfires, keep them in those designated areas.”

Wildfire season in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is already heating up. In Summit County, fire crews have extinguished two wildfires this month, both of which are believed to have been human-caused. Neither of the wildfires in Summit County threatened structures, but the one in Frisco burned about 6.3 acres and temporarily closed Interstate 70 eastbound, while the fire near the Summit Cove neighborhood burned less than 1/10 of an acre.

Steamboat Springs fire crews also responded to a small wildfire in April.

A wildfire last summer that burned 700 acres near the popular Twin Lakes recreation area near Leadville was determined to have been caused by a campfire that had not been properly extinguished. Across the state, crews with the U.S. Forest Service last summer extinguished hundreds of abandoned or unattended campfires.

Campfires should never be left unattended and should be extinguished until the coals are cool to the touch and there is no heat remaining, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 

To check fire restrictions and bans, visit COEmergency.com.