Wildfires

The home reinsurance idea, which is unique to Colorado, aims to reduce private insurers’ financial risk and therefore drive down premiums.

In recent decades, wildfires have gotten larger and more intense, and community-destroying blazes are an increasingly common occurrence. But new research looking at centuries of wildfires shows that compared with fires in the 19th and earlier centuries, today’s blazes pale in comparison – at least in terms of size.

Western forests are taking longer to grow back after wildfires. That’s partly because climate change has made it harder for new trees to survive where the old trees would have thrived. Today on In The NoCo, we hear from a CSU researcher with a new strategy for how to regrow forests more quickly.

Wildland firefighter advocates are celebrating the permanent pay raises included in a larger funding bill passed by Congress late last week.

Voluntary and mandatory evacuation orders in place in response to a wildfire near Berthoud.

Wildland firefighters have been pushing for permanent pay raises for years. A stopgap funding measure approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and now heading to the Senate would do just that.

Wyoming is the latest state to let electric companies off the hook if they create a wildfire mitigation plan. But homeowners can still sue if utilities fail to follow those plans.

The Catch Up is the easy way to stay updated on all the news making headlines on KUNC newscasts. Here are the biggest stories from March 3 to 7.

When a wildfire ignites, a fast response is critical. That’s why Colorado lawmakers are considering a bill to fund cameras equipped with Artificial Intelligence. They would detect plumes of smoke and help nearby firefighters decide how to respond. We hear from a fire chief who’s been using the cameras, today on In The NoCo.

A decision from the Trump Administration removed about 2,000 members of the U.S. Forest Services. Now agencies that work directly with them on wildfire management say they have concerns.