Colorado’s Wildfires: What Happened & Why?
Written by Shelby Dziwulski
Edited by Kendal Karstens
2020 hit the world relentlessly. Colorado was no different. During the summer of 2020, Colorado’s residents faced devastating wildfires and the lingering smoke.
I know because I’m from Colorado and have witnessed these wildfires destroy the home I love so much.
Beginning in July 2020, several wildfires broke out in the rugged parts of Colorado, making them difficult to contain. Those fires raged on for months. Then, new wildfires popped up. And those, too, raged on relentlessly.
Thousands of acres of Colorado’s wild forests were destroyed.
Why are there extreme wildfires?
You may have learned wildfires are a natural process for nature to rejuvenate itself. While there are many benefits to some controlled wildfires, they are becoming more frequent and more extreme across the entire globe.
The current rate of wildfires is unsustainable. And it’s caused by climate change.
Let’s dig deeper into why Colorado faced such extreme wildfires…and likely will face extreme wildfires again.
Several factors fuel fires:
Colorado is a very dry state.
In particular, due to climate change, Colorado faced an unprecedented drought in 2020. The combination of dry weather and hot temperatures means a lot of dried up vegetation, which burns easily, was more available.
2020 was Colorado's third driest and twelfth warmest year on record!
Unfortunately, climatologists say we can expect more summers of extreme wildfires, especially if carbon emissions are not reduced.
Pine Bark Beetles
In addition to the dry conditions and warm temperatures, pine bark beetles have infested parts of the forest resulting in dead, dry trees that can burn easily.
According to Colorado Public Radio, this invasive species has damaged about 40% of Colorado’s spruce fir forests since the year 2000.
These beetles thrive in Colorado’s record-high temperatures and record-low precipitation. This is because water acts as trees’ natural defense from the beetles. With fewer water resources, trees are unable to protect themselves.
Prolonged warm and dry periods also means the beetles emerge earlier and have more time to attack trees.
It’s sort of like a circle…Climate change literally helps these beetles damage more of the forests, which then leads to more wildfires, and the cycle repeats.
What’s Colorado like today?
With the fires comes smoke and haze—literal and figurative.
Some days feel like normal, crisp days with Colorado bluebird skies.
Other days feel hazier than they used to be. Visibility is decreased and there’s the (now all-too-familiar) lingering smell of wildfire.
Additionally, hiking trails and even the main highway I-70 close due to blazes and the wreckage.
The threat of fires die down in the winter and spring, but we fully expect that threat to return in the summer and continue well into the fall.
Watching Colorado burn is a solemn reminder that climate change has devastating affects on the places we call home.
Climate change is affecting all of us…yes, even in the United States!
Many Coloradans were displaced and lost their homes due to the wildfires. It’s forcing policymakers to come up with a plan for the new norm of sweeping wildfire devastation.
There’s good news!
Colorado's fire fighters worked tirelessly and bravely throughout the summer of 2020 and into the fall to keep us and our forests safe.
Many Americans watched the extreme Colorado wildfires on the news. They recognized the rate, amount, and size of these wildfires as not normal and not okay. People are taking action.
And Colorado is still beautiful and open for travelers!
We love sending travelers to Colorado specifically in the winter and spring, when the state is safest from wildfires and there’s countless outdoor adventures waiting for you.
Authenteco Travel is based out of Colorado, so we’re experts at exploring this beautiful state! Are you ready to travel in Colorado, while also giving back to it? Book your Authenteco Vacation today!
Want more travel insights or are interested in a trip? Check out these posts:
Is it safe to travel this fall?
