wildfire preparedness

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed a fifty six million dollar wildfire prevention program into law. And the Plumtaw Fire is burning about seven miles north of Pagosa Springs in the San Juan National Forest.

Coloradans are on edge as climate change is fueling bigger, more destructive fires that are destroying entire neighborhoods and forcing evacuations all sound the state. Some forecasters say things could get worse this summer than they’ve ever been.

The dust is just starting to settle in the aftermath of Colorado’s legislative session. Lawmakers were frantically working Wednesday night to pass dozens of bills just minutes before a midnight deadline. But not everything got through. Here are some of the highlights from the final weeks of Colorado’s legislative session.

Governor Jared Polis says Colorado will spend twenty million dollars to better prepare for wildfires this summer. And avian influenza has been detected in multiple counties across the Western Slope.

A new report paints a bleak picture of radioactive waste at the White Mesa Uranium Mill in Southeast Utah. And Utah Senator Mitt Romney is looking for people to join a federal wildland fire commission.

A local man was attacked by a mountain lion this week in Montezuma County. And Colorado lawmakers are advancing a plan to install a network of cameras to constantly monitor for the start of wildfires.

Coloradans who want to replace their water-hungry lawns to save money and fight drought conditions are on the verge of getting more help from the state. And as spring approaches, Utah wildlife officials are asking boaters to plan ahead before visiting Lake Powell.

Colorado lawmakers are advancing a pair of bills that aim to improve the state’s ability to investigate wildfires and get victims reimbursed quickly. And Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources is cracking down on people who have illegally obtained hunting permits.

The Mount Weber Fire burning southwest of Mancos is now at 50 percent containment as a team of scientists and emergency responders say that Colorado’s wildfire mitigation efforts have some flaws and need reform; Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser says three officers and two paramedics have been indicted on manslaughter and other charges in the death of Elijah McClain.

Tens of millions of dollars in state and federal money is finally reaching Grand Lake, Colorado as the mountain community rebuilds after last year’s…