Wildfires

It would be called the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, according to budget documents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior. The agency would consolidate the wildland fire programs of the USDA and Interior within the latter.

State and federal collaboration is essential to ensure robust wildfire resilience, but uncertainty over Trump administration priorities undercuts preparedness in Colorado, experts say.

Federal forecasters say there is above-average potential for significant wildfires all the way through the end of September across a vast swath of the Western U.S.

As fire leaders train for wildfires, they say homeowners can help. So some Northern Colorado residents are embracing fire-resistant homes and sharing tips to make their communities stronger.

Tom Schultz, the head of the U.S. Forest Service, is calling for wildfires to be extinguished “as swiftly as possible this season.” But aggressive suppression policies are widely believed to be one of the key culprits in the current wildfire crisis.

In recent years, there have been a number of fast-moving, destructive wildfires in which residents had little or no warning to evacuate. Federal officials have new recommendations for how communities should prepare for such disasters.

Federal forecasters are warning that the fire season could be very active across broad swaths of our region this July and August.

In recent months, the U.S. Senate Budget Committee and the Federal Insurance Office have each released detailed data on insurance premiums, non-renewals and other key metrics. The advocacy groups Public Citizen and The Revolving Door Project brought that data to life with interactive maps.

The Catch Up is your weekly way to get all the headlines and stories from KUNC newscasts. Stay informed on all things that matter in northern Colorado with this quick check-in.

State officials say Colorado will see “normal” fire conditions this summer, but still expect to be busy, according to the latest wildfire outlook.