Colorado Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Colorado - May 20, 2026

Overview

Colorado is experiencing an elevated fire risk following an exceptionally warm and dry winter characterized by record-low snowpack. By early spring, nearly a quarter of the state was facing exceptional drought conditions. This combination of factors has led to a record-breaking season for fire danger, with the National Weather Service issuing over 114 Red Flag Warnings statewide so far in 2026—more than double the number at this time last year. Governor Jared Polis has proclaimed May as Wildfire Awareness Month, and a State of Disaster Emergency has been declared due to rapidly growing fires in the southeast. State and regional resources are heavily committed, with officials anticipating a highly challenging wildfire season across the West.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: There are currently active wildfires being managed across the state, with the most significant activity concentrated in southeastern Colorado. While a late-season storm is bringing localized moisture to the Front Range, the southeast continues to face critical fire weather. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control anticipates above-normal fire potential heading into June and July due to heat stressing vegetation fuels. Firefighters are aggressively attacking new starts to prevent them from growing into disasters.

Key Fires:

• Sharpe Fire: Discovered on May 15, 2026, in the Oklahoma Panhandle, strong southwest winds pushed this fire northward into Baca County, Colorado, on May 17. It has scorched roughly 30,000 acres (with approximately 18,000 acres in Colorado) and is currently at 5% containment. The fire is burning rapidly through dry grass and plains fuels, driven by critical fire weather conditions. Rapid growth prompted mandatory evacuations for Campo and surrounding rural areas; while orders for the town of Campo have been lifted, rural evacuation zones remain active. Fire lines constructed around Campo held well overnight, and spotters are actively monitoring for flare-ups.
• 24 Fire: Located on the Fort Carson Army Base south of Colorado Springs, this human-caused fire burned 7,385 acres earlier this spring. Sparked by a malfunctioning vehicle, it was primarily fueled by dry grass and brush, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of the region's fuels.
• Poitrey Canyon Fire: Started on April 24, 2026, in Las Animas County, this human-caused fire burned 2,113 acres. Crews successfully utilized cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity to reach containment.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: The Bureau of Land Management is conducting prescribed burns on approximately 2,285 acres in Dolores, San Miguel, and La Plata counties to reduce hazardous fuels and improve wildlife habitat. Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been conducting prescribed burns at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (up to 1,997 acres) to reinvigorate native prairie vegetation and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. State officials are also exploring ways to reduce the bureaucracy involved in mitigation efforts to accelerate fuel reduction projects.

Air Quality: Smoke from the Sharpe Fire is causing rapidly decreasing visibility in Baca County due to wind-blown ash and dust. Residents in the area have been told to proceed with caution when traveling. Smoke from prescribed burns at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal may also be visible throughout the Denver metro area. Residents are advised to monitor local air quality updates.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: A late-season storm is bringing moisture and light snow to localized areas like Denver and the Front Range, aiding some regional fire suppression. However, southeastern and western Colorado remain extremely dry.
Forecasted Weather: Red Flag Warnings are in effect for much of southern and western Colorado (including Fire Weather Zones 230, 233, 237, 290, and 292) over the next 72 hours. Southwest and west winds of 20 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45-50 mph, are expected to combine with extremely low relative humidity (dropping as low as 4-10%). These critical fire weather conditions mean that any fires that develop will catch and spread rapidly and erratically.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to be mindful of fire traffic, dropping visibility due to ash, and potential smoke impacts. The public is urged to be cautious during fire weather by keeping cigarette butts out of vehicles, securing trailer chains to avoid sparks, and avoiding yard work involving grinding, welding, or mowing near dry grass. It is crucial to have an emergency plan in place and to follow local emergency management (such as the Baca County Emergency Management) for evacuation updates.
Resource Allocation: Firefighters are working under challenging conditions, and the state has invested $165 million into forest and wildfire resiliency, shifting to a mix of owned and contracted aviation assets to accelerate initial response times. In the first 117 days of 2026 alone, state aircraft dropped nearly 200,000 gallons of retardant. Agencies are heavily relying on early detection and aggressive initial attacks to manage the elevated risk.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: dhsem.colorado.gov
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: dfpc.colorado.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.