Fire restrictions in place across much of the region By Bob
Berwyn Update: The High Park Fire west of Fort Collins is
growing fast and several hundred homes have been evacuated.
SUMMIT COUNTY — Some of Colorado’s most destructive wildfires
have burned during the month of June and early July, including
the Hayman Fire and the Coal Seam fires in 2002. Across many
parts of the high country and West Slope, June is the driest
month of the year, halfway between the snows of winter and the
quenching monsoon rains of late summer. Windy, dry and hot
conditions sometimes persist for several days during the month,
and this year is no exception. In fact, with the extremely early
snowmelt and a string of months with well-above average
temperatures, the stage is set for the possibility of dangerous
and rapidly growing fires. This weekend, visitors and residents
to western Colorado need to be especially careful, with a Red
Flag fire warning in effect across much of the region. Fire
officials say it’s critical that everyone