Wildfires light up Colorado
A warmer and dryer winter has heightened the risk of wildfires in the U.S.
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| Wildires top a ridge near Reynolds Ranch, Colorado, U.S. [AP] |
Some may have enjoyed the milder winter across much of the United States in the last few months, but the lack of snow and above average temperatures have increased the risk of wildfires.
In the state of Colorado, wildfires are believed to have been ignited by embers left over from controlled burns that had taken place earlier last week.
On Monday, the state of Colorado was under red flag warnings indicating the threat for high fire danger continues, with low humidity and gusty winds in the forecast to help fuel and spread the blaze.
One person has been found dead, but it had been undetermined on what the actual cause of death to be.
Mandatory evacuations were underway for 900 families in the foot hills and canyons just to the west of Denver. Already numerous residences have been lost to the fires.
People in the state’s capital of Denver have also been been dealing with the effects of the fire. Plumes of thick smoke have been making their way east, causing reduced visibilities and respiratory problems, while the high winds have delayed and cancelled flights at the airport.
The winds have been so strong across the state that air tankers have been grounded and unable to douse the fires. Fire personnel from 30 different departments have had to battle the fires on foot.
The National Weather Service in Colorado expects that an extreme fire threat to continue through Tuesday evening