Is there a ‘Goldilocks’ amount of rain to avert wildfire disaster?

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8min 55sec
U.S. Army National Guard members drop water on targets
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
U.S. Army National Guard members drop water on targets at Button Rock Preserve during training in the Colorado Fire Aviation Summit. April 17, 2025.


downspout in the distance
Courtesy of Joe Whitfield

A wildfire burning in a mountainous area, with thick smoke billowing from the top of a tree. The landscape is rugged with rocky terrain and sparse vegetation.
Jeff Macklin, Mike Jones via Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit

A county map of Colorado with a overlay that shows the varying levels of drought in the state. To the west the colors are orange and red which represents a moderate to severe drought. To the east there is yellow to white, to indicate dry or non-drought weather.
U.S. Drought Monitor