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Warm Winter Sparks Fears of Intense Wildfire Season

3/5/2026

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Wildfire Season Threatened

Unusually warm winter weather and severe snow droughts raise concerns about an intense Western wildfire season.
Snowpack levels are well below average, with Colorado at its lowest in over 40 years, threatening water supplies.
The warmest winter on record has reduced snowstorms.
Some areas have received rain instead of snow.
Forecasts for significant snowfall in the coming weeks are not promising.

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Hurteau Warns Wildfire Risk

A National Weather Service Red Flag Warning for northeast New Mexico signals high wildfire risk amid diminished snowpack, drought, and higher temperatures.
February precipitation was less than 10% of normal.
The Rio Grande Basin has only 6% of its median snowpack.
Matt Hurteau, a fire ecologist, warns that without spring moisture, conditions could worsen.
The National Interagency Fire Center predicts increased wildfire potential through June, especially in higher elevations.

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Wildfire Season Threatened

Unusually warm winter weather and severe snow droughts raise concerns about an intense Western wildfire season.
Snowpack levels are well below average, with Colorado at its lowest in over 40 years, threatening water supplies.
The warmest winter on record has reduced snowstorms.
Some areas have received rain instead of snow.
Forecasts for significant snowfall in the coming weeks are not promising.

1 / 2