New Heat Dome Turns Up the Heat on Western Wildfires

The weather is not doing any favors for firefighters on the ground in the western U.S. While the heat dome anchored over the eastern half of the country has collapsed, a new wave of unseasonably high temperatures is building over the western U.S. This emerging heat dome out West will exacerbate the already difficult firefighting conditions. Here is a look at the current wildfire situation in this part of the nation, as well as what Mother Nature has in store.

Update on Western Wildfires

A large swath of the western U.S. is on fire as wildfire activity surges under the rising temperatures and ongoing drought conditions. The bulk of the fire activity in recent weeks has sprung up in the Four Corners region, an area that has seen little moisture over the last several months.

The Aspen Acres Fire in Colorado is now the 8th largest in state history. According to the Monday morning update, the blaze has now burned over 91,000 acres and is just 12% contained. Nearly 1,400 personnel are on the scene working to battle the blaze.

This fire in the south-central area of the state has forced evacuations in several counties, including Pueblo, Custer, Fremont, and Huerfano. The Aspen Acres Fire was first reported on Monday, June 29. While the exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation, it is believed to have been caused by humans.

At least 150 structures have been destroyed as a result of this fire. Local officials are warning that this number is likely to climb, as the full scope of the damage is not yet known due to the inability to conduct assessments.

The Aspen Acres Fire is one of several infernos burning in the western U.S. Other active fires in Colorado include the deadly Snyder Fire raging along the Colorado-Utah border, the Golf Mountain Fire, the Ferris Fire, and the Willow Fire. Temperatures reaching the triple digits have combined with windy and dry conditions to fuel the development and spread of these fires.

The threat of wildfires put a damper on Fourth of July festivities across the region. Several communities were forced to cancel their fireworks shows because of the danger.

The smoke generated from these fires has also reduced air quality throughout much of southern and western Colorado.