drought

Federal forecasters say there is above-average potential for significant wildfires all the way through the end of September across a vast swath of the Western U.S.

A new analysis shows more than two-thirds of data centers built – or in development – since 2022 are in drought-prone areas, including parts of the Mountain West. Experts warn this could strain water supplies for cities and farmers.

Researchers found Wyomingites are split on why the climate is changing, but most want to see action to prepare for changes. This comes at a time when some state politicians have denied climate science.

Federal forecasters are warning that the fire season could be very active across broad swaths of our region this July and August.

Utah is using a technology that can add more water to the state's supply. Others in the Colorado River basin are looking to expand.

Drought this spring has increased significantly across our region, with some states already hitting the highest levels.

The percentage of adults in the West who say they’ve been personally affected by an extreme weather event, including wildfires and high heat, jumped 13% in the last two years.

Wyoming has already seen 103 wildfires and 2,600 acres burned this year. That’s about double the number of fires by this time last year, but only 15% of the acreage burned.

An early outlook from the National Interagency Fire Center anticipates “normal” potential for large wildfires in Wyoming through June. Normal still means fires. A few early-season blazes near Wheatland already caused evacuations in February.

Lawmakers defunded the state’s two-decade program that also benefits downstream states. But they’re optimistic those states will pay for Wyoming’s share to keep it going.