It seems like news of disastrous wildfires never ends. Last winter, we watched as wildfires raged in Santa Barbara County, California. Once contained, the fires then led to catastrophic mudslides that killed 20 people around Montecito, California.

The recent Western wildfires that have been burning in Colorado and California are attributed to multiple factors, including a heat wave and climate change.

Let’s begin with a Colorado update. From the Wyoming border to southern Colorado, there are dozens of active wildfires burning. The Spring Creek fire, a 107,307-acre fire, is now 70 percent contained.

The fire, which began on June 27, is burning in Costilla and Huerfano counties and has consumed more than 132 homes.

The second largest active Colorado fire is the 416 Fire, which is burning 13 miles north of Durango. This fire required more than 1,000 firefighters to achieve 100 percent containment of this 54,122-acre fire.

However, the weather in Colorado lately has allowed for more success in containment efforts; meanwhile, California’s current heatwave makes firefighting conditions very difficult.

Read more