Durango Fire Chief told Durango City Councilors in a study session in March that the outlook for the wildfire season is not very good. He said drought is increasing and likely to worsen. By June, Black said, he expects above average fire conditions. Statistically, the Durango area is set up for an active fire season similar to what was seen in 2002, when the Missionary Ridge Fire happened and 2018, when the 416 Fire occurred.

In related news, SB 23-166 created the Wildfire Resiliency Code Board and their job is to create a code to set standards for the wildland-urban interface in Colorado. A committee of County staff and volunteers has been working together to follow and provide feedback on the work. March 12th, they presented to the Board of County Commissioners their draft feedback for the draft code. The comments include a request to locally verify the map data, provide a communication plan and training materials, and to provide funding to help implement the code because at present it is an unfunded mandate. The Board of County Commissioners approved the response letter on March 25th. It’s anticipated the WRCB will adopt the code by July 1st. Local agencies will have 3 months to adopt an updated code and then another 3 months to implement it.