Wildfire and drought conditions impact Colorado and Utah

Wildfire risks and drought conditions are impacting the Western United States following record-low snowpacks. In Boulder County, Colorado, monsoon moisture has provided some relief to firefighters by increasing humidity and soaking thick fuels, but the rain has not significantly replenished reservoirs. The city remains under a drought watch as reservoirs are at 76% capacity, well below the 88% average. Officials continue to monitor water supplies from the Colorado River and the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.

In Utah, the 2026 wildfire season has been identified as one of the most severe since 2007, with over 500,000 acres burned. Experts noted that fire activity began unusually early and shifted toward mid- and higher-elevation timbered landscapes. Notable incidents include the Widemouth 2, Babylon, and Cottonwood fires, which rank among the largest in the state since 2002. These high-elevation burns have also increased flood risks for downstream communities.