Latest news with #WesternSlope
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
More wildfires rampaging across Western Slope
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – Wildfires continue to plague the Western Slope as crews are tackling several blazes on CO Highway 141 near Gateway. Two of the fires, Wright Draw and Turner Gulch, are mapped at 33.5 and 83 acres, respectively, as of Friday. The Upper Colorado Interagency Fire Management Unit, which has responded to around 10 wildfires on Thursday, reported lightning is responsible for the blazes. UCRIFM said several resources have been ordered and are en route or are currently on the scene, including engines and aircraft. Other fires in Western Colorado include two on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The south rim fire has been mapped at over 1,600 acres. Due to the smoke from the blaze, air quality alerts are in place in Montrose. The county said residents should close their doors and windows and avoid prolonged exposure. Meanwhile, the Deer Creek Fire has spread to 4,000 acres near the Utah-Colorado border. The blaze is about 11 miles west of Paradox. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire smoke causing air quality concerns
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – With wildfires burning around the Western Slope, air quality concerns have grown in Mesa County. Mesa County Public Health is urging residents to be cautious while spending time outdoors. There has been an air quality alert issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for parts of the Western Slope. If the smoke gets too thick where you are, stay indoors. It is vital to stay inside especially if you are very young, elderly or have respiratory or heart conditions. Try to keep outdoor activity and the usage of evaporative coolers low. Also use air filters to lower indoor particulates. Keep in mind, there is still an active No Burn Advisory in Mesa County which prohibits burning of any kind including agricultural burning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Drought deepens on Western Slope while Eastern Plains see rain relief
Tale of two Colorados: Rain in the east, drought and fire risk in the West Tale of two Colorados: Rain in the east, drought and fire risk in the West Tale of two Colorados: Rain in the east, drought and fire risk in the West According to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than 50% of Colorado is currently experiencing drought. The most severe conditions are concentrated on the Western Slope. CBS The root of the problem? A drier-than-normal winter, which delivered below-average snowpack combined with unusually warm temperatures, leaving the region parched and increasingly fire-prone. As a result, Stage 1 fire restrictions have been implemented across large portions of western Colorado and the high country. These restrictions limit open burning, including campfires in non-designated areas, and prohibit fireworks and other activities that could spark a blaze. In Teller County, officials have issued an orange flag warning, signaling very high fire danger. CBS While the Western Slope dries out, other parts of the state are seeing relief. Storm systems last week dropped meaningful rainfall across Colorado's Eastern Plains, keeping conditions drought-free — a welcome development for anyone planning outdoor activities over the holiday weekend. This sharp contrast paints a clear picture of the challenges ahead: while eastern Colorado enjoys the benefits of recent moisture, the west remains vulnerable to wildfires and worsening drought conditions. As always, residents are encouraged to check local fire restrictions before lighting any campfires or using outdoor equipment that could spark flames.
CBS News
05-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Drought conditions improve in Northern Colorado, but Western Slope still struggling
This week's U.S. Drought Monitor brings some welcome news for parts of Colorado. After a round of much-needed moisture last week, drought conditions have improved across northern Colorado — particularly in Larimer and Weld counties. That rainfall helped eliminate drought status along portions of the Front Range, leaving Denver, Douglas, and Arapahoe counties drought free. CBS Unfortunately, the rest of the state didn't fare as well. Portions of the Western Slope, including Mesa, Delta, and Montrose counties, are still under extreme drought conditions. CBS With the rainfall we've already seen this month — nearly an inch in the first four days of June — we've picked up close to half the precipitation we typically see for the entire month. CBS Looking ahead, the Climate Prediction Center's long-range outlook is signaling a potential shift to a drier weather pattern for northeastern Colorado, the plains and the Front Range during the core summer months — June, July, and August. CBS
CBS News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Fear grips Colorado mountain towns amid rumors of increased patrols by Immigration and Customs Enforcement
In Colorado's mountain communities, there are growing concerns about an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. This has led to panic among certain communities and people who are unsure of their rights. Voces Unidas de las Montañas describes itself as a nonprofit focused on advocacy and policy for Latinos and Latinas, pushing to change an inequitable system. According to the organization's website, the nonprofit is in 12 Western Slope counties. Voces Unidas de las Montañas CBS Recently, the organization has been taking phone calls from worried residents after what they call a significant uptick in ICE activity in the area. We were receiving over 100 phone calls or messages via our social media platforms, or directly to our hotline, or directly to our just mainstream phone numbers," said Alex Sanchez, CEO and President of Voces Unidas de las Montañas. Sanchez said there are people who are on heightened alert when they see certain posts appear on social media. CBS "We were speaking to wives or relatives who couldn't find their loved one and were calling us to say, 'We saw a video online and it looked like my loved one, and we need help trying to find them... where do we go?'" The fear has spread to the community and is impacting more than undocumented Coloradans. "They're questioning whether they themselves are in danger and whether their kids should be going to school or what action they should be taken. Those are the conversations we're having or we were having that week for sure at an unprecedented level," said Sanchez. Alex Sanchez CBS In a statement from ICE, a spokesperson said, "U.S. immigration and customs enforcement is executing its mission of identifying and removing criminal aliens and others who have violated our nation's immigration laws... For operational security and for the safety of our law enforcement personnel, ICE does not confirm, deny, or otherwise discuss ongoing or future operations." "You can't take Latinas and Latino workers out of the construction industry. You would shut that down in the entire country. You can't run the resorts we run today without, you know, everyday people who are the backbone of these systems and these industries. We are intertwined," said Sanchez.
