Is Your Home Ready? 2025 Fire Season in Western Colorado

Grand Junction spent part of the summer of 2024 surrounded by wildfires. The Bucktail fire near Montrose, the Currant Creek fire near Cedaredge, and the King's Canyon fire near Fruita. A new report from AccuWeather says the risk of wildfires will continue to rise this year in Colorado.

2025 Wildfire Risk for Western Colorado

Forecasts for 2025 are calling for a hot, dry summer across Colorado. Grand Junction knows how serious the threat of wildfires can be. Similar conditions during the summer of 2020 led to the Pine Gulch Fire, one of the largest ever on the Western Slope, burning 139,000 acres.

A hot summer forecast that is light on rain means a higher risk of wildfires due to a reduced snowpack and lower-than-average winter snowfall, dry vegetation caused by drought conditions, and rising temperatures that can extend the fire season.

Protecting Your Colorado Home from Wildfires

Photo by Frederick Bartels on Unsplash

Staying prepared is the best thing homeowners in Colorado can do to lower the risk of wildfires.

Create Defensible Space: Try to keep a clear perimeter (at least 30 feet) around your home, removing any flammable vegetation and debris.
Use Fire-Resistant Materials: When possible, investigate fire-resistant roofing, siding, and deck materials you can use during new construction or renovations.
Clean Gutters and Roofs: Keep gutters clean of leaves, pine needles, and debris that could ignite.
Emergency Kit: Keep an emergency essentials kit ready with water, food, clothing, medicine, and important documents.
Stay Informed: Enable notifications from our station app.

Seasonal Wildfire Preparedness Tips

Seasonal steps families can take to stay prepared for wildfires include a springtime property assessment. In what ways can you create a defensible space around your home? During the summer months, pay attention to fire bans and restrictions. In the fall, maintain your perimeter to stay prepared for late-season fires.

The following local resources can help you stay informed and proactive:

Photo by Malachi Brooks on Unsplash

LOOK: 10 Tips to Prevent Wildfires from the US Department of Interior

Forecasters believe 2025 has the potential for widespread fires. Over 90% are caused by humans. Here's how you can prevent wildfires.

Gallery Credit: ASHLEY SOLLARS

LOOK: Colorado's 20 Largest Wildfires of All Time

Colorado's 20 largest wildfires have all taken place since the year 2000.

NEXT: Building A Campfire in Colorado? Six Steps You Must Take

Nearly 85% of wildfires are caused by humans. Colorado is home to 24.5 million acres of forest land which means fire safety in our state must be given the highest priority by campers who wish to build a campfire. Check out the six essential steps for safely putting out a campfire according to the U.S. Forest Service below.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

Source: 2025 Wildfire Risk: How To Be Prepared In Western Colorado