Colorado Springs officials said on March 31 that wildfire risk in the region is rising and called on residents to prepare through the city’s Ready, Set, Go! campaign.
The announcement comes after an unusually dry and warm winter, with Colorado experiencing its warmest winter and February on record. The National Weather Service has issued 27 Red Flag Warnings for the Pikes Peak region this year—more than double the typical number for this time of year and close to the annual average of 30 to 35.
Officials said wildfire behavior is changing due to stronger winds, drier fuels, and longer fire seasons. “Five of the most destructive fires involving structures in our region have occurred within just the last 12 years,” according to city leaders. The Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012 and Black Forest Fire in 2013 resulted in hundreds of homes destroyed, four lives lost, families displaced, and neighborhoods changed.
Over the past decade, Colorado Springs has increased its efforts to address wildfire risks. In 2019, the city partnered with El Paso County to create the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management. In 2021, voters approved $20 million for mitigation projects that have treated more than 3,000 acres and removed over 1,400 tons of hazardous fuels while working with more than 140 neighborhoods representing over 5,000 homes. Last year saw the launch of a regional mutual aid strike team uniting seven fire agencies for faster response across jurisdictional lines.
Innovation plays a role as well: programs such as Drone as a First Responder provide early detection; new evacuation modeling technology supports planning; updated building codes require ignition-resistant materials; and a Wind Driven Fire Plan addresses current conditions.
Mayor Yemi Mobolade said: “That is why we are calling on every resident to take action through Colorado Springs’ wildfire preparedness campaign: Ready, Set, Go!” He added that preparation should begin before smoke appears by signing up for emergency alerts at Peak Alerts (peakalerts.org), packing go-bags including supplies for pets, making evacuation plans with family members—and checking on neighbors who may need help evacuating.
Mobolade concluded: “Because when wildfire threatens Colorado Springs—and it will—being ready can make all the difference.”
