Early Colorado Wildfires Spark Concerns for Dangerous Fire Season

Dry conditions and unseasonably warm temperatures have fueled multiple large fires across the state in March, signaling an early start to the 2026 wildfire season.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:40pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a massive wildfire raging across a mountainous terrain, the flames and smoke dwarfing any physical structures or objects in the scene and conveying the raw, overwhelming power of the natural disaster.As climate change fuels earlier and more intense wildfire seasons across the American West, Colorado braces for a potentially devastating year of blazes that could stretch resources and test the state's fire readiness.Grand Junction Today

Several wildfires have already burned thousands of acres across Colorado in the early months of 2026, including the '24 Fire' near Colorado Springs which has grown to over 7,300 acres. Experts warn that this concerning trend of early, large-scale fires could indicate a longer and more dangerous wildfire season ahead for the state.

Why it matters

The early start to Colorado's wildfire season, with multiple fires already burning hundreds or thousands of acres by March, raises serious concerns about the state's fire readiness and the potential for an extended period of heightened fire risk throughout the spring and summer. Dry conditions, early snowmelt, and a lack of substantial winter precipitation are reshaping wildfire patterns across the Western US, pushing fire season earlier and making it last longer.

The details

The '24 Fire' near Colorado Springs has grown to over 7,300 acres since last Wednesday, fueled by dry grass, high winds, and unseasonably warm temperatures. Other large fires burning in Colorado so far in 2026 include the '23 Fire' in southern Colorado, the 'Range 121 Fire' in El Paso County, the 'County Road 89' fire in Morgan and Weld Counties, the 'County Road 169 Fire' in Elbert and Lincoln Counties, the 'Dahlberg Fire' in Douglas County, and the '113 Fire' in Logan County. In total, these fires have burned over 15,000 acres already this year, more than double the average for this time of year.

  • The '24 Fire' near Colorado Springs has grown to over 7,300 acres since last Wednesday.
  • The 'County Road 169 Fire' in Elbert and Lincoln Counties started on February 17, burning over 6,000 acres.
  • The '113 Fire' in Logan County burned over 5,000 acres from February 25 to 26.

The players

Southern Colorado Interagency Wildland Fire Team

A team of fire experts and officials who are monitoring the early wildfire activity in Colorado and raising concerns about the potential for a dangerous fire season ahead.

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What they’re saying

“When the list of wildfires is already this long in March, everybody starts to get nervous. Multiple fires are already burning, and everyone spending time in the outdoors is going to have to be very careful this summer and hold each other accountable for fire safety.”

— Southern Colorado Interagency Wildland Fire Team

What’s next

Forecasters believe 2026 has the potential for widespread fires across Colorado, and experts are urging residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution with any open flames or activities that could spark a wildfire as the state heads into the peak of the fire season.

The takeaway

The early start to Colorado's wildfire season, with multiple large fires already burning thousands of acres by March, is a concerning sign that the state could be facing an extended and dangerous fire season in 2026. Dry conditions, early snowmelt, and a lack of substantial winter precipitation are reshaping wildfire patterns across the Western US, pushing fire season earlier and making it last longer.