Colorado
As Colorado faces historically bad snowpack, a new study links low snow with more severe wildfires that damage forests
A new study out of Western Colorado University has implications for the wildfire season ahead as nearly the entire West faces record-low snowpack conditions.
The paper, published last month in the peer-reviewed journal “Environmental Research Letters,” found that not only is an early-snow melt associated with earlier fire seasons and a more acreage being burned, it’s also linked to more severe wildfires.
“When we have a low-snow winter, those high elevation forests will have lower live fuel moisture and ultimately more flammable conditions during the summer,” said Jared Balik, the lead author of the study. “That in turn, promotes greater burn severity, greater fire severity, that increases the risk of forest loss or conversion of forest to shrubland or grassland.”
The study used satellites that measure pre- and post-fire conditions to estimate burn severity of fires across 11 Western states — including Colorado — from 1985 to 2021, Balik said. Using that 36-year dataset and regional snowpack metrics, he said researchers were able to create models to explore the interactions between snowpack levels and wildfire seasons.
Balik said the study’s results confirmed what fire ecology scientists have long known: That the earlier the snow melts, the sooner the fire season can begin and that an earlier meltout typically creates drier conditions that make landscapes more susceptible to fires starting and spreading.
“Together, those two factors provide both more time and opportunity for fires to ignite and spread,” Balik said. “But we were curious, knowing that, what the implications of a low-snow year were for the severity of wildfires. What does snowpack mean for the effects of fire on our landscapes?”
Snowpack acts like a ‘savings account’ for forests
The impact of the snowpack on fire intensity — or how much of a forest’s trees and vegetation a wildfire consumes — had not previously been well studied, Balik said. Fire severity is important because while forests can survive low intensity fires, he said forests tend to have a more difficult time regenerating after high intensity fires that can kill adult trees and damage the next year’s seed source.
“These high severity fires can really change ecosystems,” Balik said. “They can cascade into other impacts on how those ecosystems store carbon, how they hold water in subsequent seasons and changes to the quality of habitat they provide for wildlife.”
Across the entire West, the study found that higher snowpacks were associated with less severe wildfires during the subsequent fire season, while lower snowpacks were linked to more severe wildfires.
Low snow reduces the soil moisture during the growing season, which results in trees and other plants drying out, Balik said. That increases how much of the forest will burn if a fire starts and how likely trees are to die as a result of the fire.
“Winter snowpack really acts as a kind of a seasonal water savings account for these western forests,” he said. “When that account runs low, the soils and vegetation dry out earlier, and those forests become more vulnerable to more severe fire.”
Colorado’s fire season has already begun
Balik said the study’s findings are made all the more noteworthy as Colorado and the West face some of the worst snowpack conditions on record.
Colorado’s snowpack has trended near all-time lows for much of the season and, as of the start of April, is likely worse than it’s ever been for this time of year, according to the state climatologist’s office.
“We’ve already seen a fire south of Colorado Springs. There’s already huge fires in Nebraska,” Balik said. “Sure enough, we’ve had a low-snow winter and the fire season has effectively begun.”
With climate change, which is caused by burning fossil fuels that release heat-trapping gasses into the atmosphere, he noted that scientists predict the West will see warmer temperatures and lower snowpacks.
Looking at long-term snow patterns across the West, Balik noted that the four corners states, including Colorado, have seen the strongest evidence of long-term snowpack declines. While the snowpack in recent years has trended lower, he noted “there’s a lot of interannual variation,” due to climate patterns like the El Nino and La Nina.
Balik said the study shows that as climate change drives snowpack declines throughout the West, the region should anticipate longer fire seasons with fires that are not only larger but are more severe.
“This work really suggests that we need to start thinking about fire season as less of a summer phenomenon and more of a phenomenon that kicks off once the snow is gone,” he said.
The research also highlights that communities should make the most of winters with good snowpacks by focusing on prescribed burning and other wildfire mitigation measures when there is the opportunity, Balik said.
While the snowpack this winter suggests that the West could be heading into a dangerous fire season, he noted that weather patterns could still change for the better and people can reduce the risk of wildfires by acting responsibly.
“If we get a wet summer or a really wet spring, that could still make a difference,” Balik said. “And of course, it also very much depends on what people do. A lot of the most damaging fires are started by people. If we act responsibly when we’re out recreating, maybe we can start one fewer fire.”
Thousands of candy-filled Easter eggs rained down on a waiting crowd of patient but eager children at a Colorado church community’s second annual Helicopter Egg Drop.
A charitable crew aboard a helicopter released 6,000 plastic eggs over the yard at Zeal City Church in Windsor, Colorado, early Easter Sunday morning for the parish’s egg hunt.
The copter came back and released even more colorful eggs for a second hunt during a later Easter service that day, CBS Colorado reported.
Lead Pastor Jeremy Cleveland told the outlet that the aerial egg drop is their unique way of “celebrating Jesus at Zeal City Church.”
“We’re celebrating Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we really wanted to bless our community and not just give them a sermon, but something to make them memories with their families and friends,” Cleveland said.
Cleveland highlighted the event’s rousing success, noting that it drew hundreds of families to the Sunday service.
“The kids are enjoying it, loving it. Parents are having a great time. It’s been awesome,” Cleveland’s wife, Brittany, told the outlet.
The Clevelands hope to carry on the burgeoning tradition for many more years to come.
Another local egg drop in 2024 saw a chopper dump 5,000 eggs over a park in Colorado Springs, Fox 21 reported.
The Compass Church in Salinas, California, also hosted its own drop where a helicopter poured 100,000 eggs over the grounds.
Colorado
Where to watch Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Sunday, April 5
The Philadelphia Phillies (5-3) will try to complete a three-game sweep over the Colorado Rockies (2-6). The Phillies won the series’ first two games by limiting the Rockies to a single run in each. Philadelphia’s Taijuan Walker is scheduled to start against Colorado’s Tomoyuki Sugano.
How to Watch Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies
-
Time: 3:10 p.m. ET / 12:10 p.m. PT
-
Where: Coors Field, Denver
-
TV Channels: Rockies.TV, NBCSP+
Advertisement
Team records
-
Philadelphia Phillies: 5-3 (No. 3 in NL East)
-
Colorado Rockies: 2-6 (No. 5 in NL West)
Odds
-
Spread: Colorado Rockies +1.5
-
Moneyline: Colorado Rockies +145 / Philadelphia Phillies -175
Starting pitchers
Philadelphia Phillies: Taijuan Walker (0-1, ERA: 11.57, K: 2, WHIP: 2.79)
Colorado Rockies: Tomoyuki Sugano (0-0, ERA: 1.93, K: 4, WHIP: 0.86)
Weather: 63°F at first pitch
Ballpark: Capacity: 50,144 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass
Weather: 63°F at first pitch
Ballpark: Capacity: 50,144 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass
Colorado
Hooters Colorado Shoots Bikini Calendar Photos In The Mountains & Refuses To Die, Nacho Hat & Is Nike Dead?
Plus: The colors are starting to pop from Augusta National.
Quick observations — in no particular order — from Florida while Mrs. Screencaps packs up the kids this Saturday morning for the long journey back to rainy Ohio
- Our kids must’ve thrown a pool ball or pool football 3,000 times on this trip. If they end up needing Tommy John surgery in June, it was due to this trip.
- We spent the last three days in Orlando and not once did the boys ask if we could go to a Disney or Universal property. At about $900 for a Disney park and $1,000 for Universal, it was a big relief. There’s a clear dilemma right now based on the prices: Do modern middle-class families have the money to blow on one day at these parks? Yes, but at some point, as in our case, you have to take a stand financially. The parks have reached the tipping point. We cannot be the only family in this situation. We saw my cousin this week in Florida, and she was talking about how her and her husband bought an acre of land in a beautiful part of Michigan for $1,800 last year. Meanwhile, Disney can suck a family dry for $1,300 after entrance, parking and food in a matter of hours. I vote for buying land. The same can be said for Mrs. Screencaps. My ears perked up when she showed interest in picking up some land. That was something I haven’t heard out of her before.
- Like many generations before me, I’m going to miss this weather when we hit the Ohio River, and it’s instantly 54, rainy and cloudy.
- However, I don’t know how people in Florida deal with highway traffic, or traffic in general for trips to grocery stores. I get it when I see people on Twitter parroting the line, “We’re full. No northerners are allowed in.”
- Did I mention how nice it was to not check email, Slack messages or DMs? So relaxing. I sat there in a cabana the last two days at the pool listening to music, watching the boys throw the football and never once did I wonder what people were sending me on social media or via email.
- Publix needs to figure out its Greek pasta salad. What they’re selling IS NOT Greek pasta salad.
- Gas was $4.29 at the final stop on I-75 before you go across the Everglades. It was one of the first questions my dad asked me when we rolled into his place just off Marco Island on Monday. It was officially on his mind.
- I hope our boys understand how fortunate they are to have two things in their lives: (1.) a grandfather who keeps his boat in a Marco Island boat house where they drop it in the water and have it ready for you when you pull up to the dock, and (2.) a grandmother who has a beautiful 9-hole golf course at her trailer park. Boys, those are the amenities that make these trips special, let me tell you. We might not have dropped $1,300 at Disney, but we had some fun.
- Speaking of golf, Screencaps Jr. had his first official 9-hole round of golf at my mom’s place and it was a special father-son moment. There I was having to teach him everything about golf etiquette, what club to use and how to handle himself on a green. As I told the text group, now I know why Diesel gets so emotional over moments with his own boys. Last Saturday, I had one of those moments with Screencaps Jr. On the Par 3 course, he had a couple of blowup holes, a couple of doubles and even a bogey. You better believe I made him count every stroke. Start them young. If they learn to shave strokes at 13, just think of how they’ll keep score at 33.
- We just happened to drive by the strip-mall Hooters in Kissimmee the other night and there was one lone middle-aged guy, maybe 58, sitting at the outdoor bar on a pretty pleasant Thursday night. I don’t want the iconic brand to die, but young, red-blooded men just aren’t showing up for a beer and wings. It’s sad, but it’s the world we’re living in.
— Keith in Indian Rocks Beach writes:
Hey Joe, if you need a place to park to take the kids to the beach, hit me up.
Kinsey:
Next time, Keith. I was so in the moment and ignoring my work email that I just saw this — a week later.
I looked up Keith’s address. He’s definitely right on the water.
— Chuck writes:
I dont see many Kinseys out there. Enjoy your vacation. Good luck to you and Outkick.
Kinsey:
From one Kinsey to another, thanks for the email, Chuck. I’ve enjoyed this vacation. Now it’s time to get home and get rolling on Spring, the mowing season, baseball season, track season and planting season for Mrs. Screencaps.
Is Nike about to get Wendy’s’d?
While I was ignoring the world in Florida, Nike stock was dropping like a rock. Of course the LIBS say this has nothing to do with the DEIs inside Nike joining forces with Kap or all the Alphabet Mafia messaging the company has pounded for years.
And don’t forget about how Nike promoted Lizzo-sized mannequins in 2022 only to have Lizzo turn her back on the fatty lifestyle.
Nike marketing chose a path. Combine that with changing tastes in culture and you have a brand in a free-fall.
Masters kits are arriving
— Mark writes:
Look what just showed up!! I’m a 60 year old man acting like a teenager right now! Food box arrives tomorrow!!
Kinsey:
Enjoy those drink cups, Mark. Those are about to become the best drink cups in your cabinet. Cherish them. Don’t let your friends walk off with them.
######################
That is it this morning. I know it’s a short one, but Mrs. Screencaps is ready to roll. The 3.5L V6 Honda Odyssey is ready to roll. We have a 13-hour day in front of us. It’s time to get back to reality.
I’ll see you guys again on Monday.
Have a great weekend and Happy Easter.
Numbers from :
Stuff You Guys Sent In & Stuff I Like :
Lawmakers seek permanent funding for referral hotlines connecting families to mental health care
Overnight shooting along SC interstate under investigation
Contenders to watch in 2026 South Dakota high school softball season
Tennessee basketball freshman guard plans to transfer
11-year-old North Texas girl shot during domestic incident, Midlothian police say
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
GOP races to pass ICE, Border Patrol funding bill as priorities pile up, divisions emerge
Jet fuel crisis: Rationing triggered at four airports in Italy
NASA’s Artemis II crew readies for Monday’s lunar flyby. Here’s what you need to know
Tax day is next week: Avoid these 5 common mistakes that can cost you money
Hamas armed wing says disarmament demands not acceptable
-
South-Carolina1 week agoSouth Carolina vs TCU predictions for Elite Eight game in March Madness
-
Atlanta, GA1 day ago1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
-
Vermont1 week agoSkier dies after fall at Sugarbush Resort
-
Movie Reviews4 days agoVaazha 2 first half review: Hashir anchors a lively, chaos-filled teen tale
-
Politics1 week agoTrump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized
-
Entertainment4 days agoInside Ye’s first comeback show at SoFi Stadium
-
Atlanta, GA1 week agoFetishist ‘No Kings’ protester in mask drags ‘Trump’ and ‘JD Vance’ behind her wheelchair
-
Politics1 week agoJD Vance says he was ‘obsessed’ with UFOs, believes aliens are actually ‘demons’