Colorado Springs is one of the most beautiful and desirable places in America to live. Our mountains, forests, and open spaces define who we are. But the very landscape that draws us here also carries a reality we must confront together: wildfire risk.
And right now, that risk is rising.
This winter was unusually dry, with temperatures well above average. In fact, Colorado experienced its warmest winter, and warmest February on record, with additional heat records already broken this March.
At the same time, the National Weather Service has issued 27 Red Flag Warnings for the Pikes Peak region; more than double what we typically see this time of year and nearing our annual average of 30 to 35.
Wildfire behavior itself is changing. Stronger winds, drier fuels, and longer fire seasons mean fires can ignite faster, spread farther, and become more destructive than ever before. Five of the most destructive fires involving structures in our region have occurred within just the last 12 years.
For Colorado Springs, wildfire is not theoretical. It is part of our story.
The Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012 and the Black Forest Fire in 2013 left lasting scars; hundreds of homes destroyed, four lives lost, families displaced, and neighborhoods forever changed. Those moments were painful. But they were also formative. Over the past decade, Colorado Springs has learned, adapted, and acted. Today, we are more prepared than ever before.
In 2019, the City and El Paso County established the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management to strengthen coordination; because wildfire does not respect jurisdictional boundaries.
In 2021, voters approved $20 million for wildfire mitigation. That investment is delivering results: last year, more than 3,000 acres treated, over 1,400 tons of hazardous fuels removed, and partnerships with more than 140 neighborhoods representing over 5,000 homes.
In 2023, we launched the Pikes Peak Mutual Aid Strike Team; uniting seven regional fire agencies into one coordinated response force. When a fire starts, speed matters. This partnership ensures faster response, stronger coordination, and greater protection, across the county, regardless of jurisdictional lines.
We are also leveraging innovation to multiply our impact. From our Drone as a First Responder program providing early detection and real-time intelligence; to new evacuation modeling technology to support effective planning and evacuation; and a Wind Driven Fire Plan aligned with today’s realities. We are building a smarter, faster, more resilient system.
And we are strengthening how we build. Updated Wildland-Urban Interface codes now require ignition-resistant materials, safer roofing, and fire-resistant siding to better protect homes.
But here is the truth: even the most advanced technology, and the best systems cannot protect and unprepared community. Wildfire safety is not just the responsibility of government. It is a shared responsibility.
That is why we are calling on every resident to take action through Colorado Springs’ wildfire preparedness campaign: Ready, Set, Go!
These three simple words carry a powerful truth: preparation does not begin when smoke appears on the horizon. It begins now.
Ready: prepare early.
Sign up for emergency alerts at Peak Alerts (peakalerts.org) so you can receive critical updates wherever you are. Pack a go-bag for your household; including supplies for pets, so you are ready to leave quickly if needed. Build a family evacuation and communication plan and know multiple ways in and out of your neighborhood.
Set means there’s a serious threat and be prepared to leave.
Monitor fire conditions and follow official updates. Load your vehicle. Review your family communication and evacuation plan. And check on your neighbors; especially those who may need extra help evacuating.
Go: means evacuate immediately.
Leave without delay. Follow first responders. Stay informed. Do not return until it is safe.
You can find resources and step-by-step guidance at ColoradoSprings.gov/ReadySetGo.
Colorado Springs is a resilient city. We have faced wildfire before, and we have come back stronger. But resilience is not just built in the aftermath of disaster; it is built in the decisions we make today.
The most powerful protection we have is a prepared community. So take a moment. Make a plan. Pack your bag. Talk to your family. Check on your neighbors.
Because when wildfire threatens Colorado Springs—and it will—being ready can make all the difference.
“Blessing” Yemi Mobolade, Mayor of Colorado Springs.
Randy Royal, Colorado Springs Fire Department Fire Chief
This article originally appeared in the Colorado Springs Gazette.