Colorado Search and Rescue Coordinator Urges Wildfire Preparedness

Steamboat Springs —A $14 million project. Twelve units.

Wait, that’s the wrong story. Let’s look at the actual numbers for this summer on the Western Slope.

Colorado has seen more than 200,000 acres burn so far this season. The Aspen Acres Fire alone has consumed over 100,000 acres, ranking as the seventh largest in state history. That is not a minor inconvenience for locals who rely on public lands for recreation, property values, and air quality.

Trevin Montano, the Colorado Search and Rescue state coordinator and a volunteer wildland firefighter, is asking residents to stop treating wildfires as background noise. He argues that the risk is now a primary variable in outdoor planning, not an occasional disruption.

“My biggest advice for people that’re getting out and about with wildland fires is never underestimate how fast a fire can move,” Montano said.

Let’s do the math on that speed. Montano noted it is not uncommon for a fire to advance seven or eight miles in a single day. It can burn up 30,000 acres in just a couple of hours. If you are camping near the Upper Colorado River Recreation area, as residents of Grand County know well, that proximity to fuel sources matters. The Hartman Hill Fire, which sparked on July 19 near that exact spot, proves how quickly a small ignition can become a major event.

The context here is critical. Last winter brought record-low snowpack to the Western Slope. The result is severe drought and extreme fire risk. Nearly every mountain community has instituted Stage 2 fire restrictions. These bans cover campfires and smoking outside. If you think your local park is open, check the restrictions. They are likely Stage 2.

Montano emphasizes that this does not mean staying home. It means adding a layer of preparation. He cites the importance of trip planning and carrying the 10 essentials. The risks are heat, flames, and smoke. Smoke is the invisible cost that affects everyone, from hikers on the Colorado Trail west of Leadville to boaters on the river.

In June, Mesa County Search and Rescue evacuated 120 boaters and six dogs from the Colorado River as the Snyder Fire spread toward the water. The Willow Fire, sparked by human causes last month, forced campers out of Turquoise Lake Recreation Area. The Ferris Fire has already scorched almost 65,000 acres in its sector.

These are not abstract statistics. These are closed trails and full campgrounds. They are the places your neighbors visit on weekends.

On paper, nine large fires and almost two dozen smaller ones are burning across the state as of Monday morning. In practice, this means higher insurance premiums for properties near burn zones, potential smoke advisories that keep kids indoors, and the constant possibility of evacuation orders.

Montano’s message is direct: respect the fire, but don’t fear it. The state offers beautiful scenery, but that beauty comes with a dynamic risk profile this summer.

For locals, the bottom line is logistical and financial. Stage 2 restrictions mean you need to plan your fuel sources for campfires. Evacuations mean your commute might change if a trailhead closes. And the sheer acreage burned means smoke will linger, affecting respiratory health and outdoor work schedules.

Montano wants people to enjoy the forest. He just wants them to pay attention to what is happening in it.