Conditions are abnormally dry for parts of Colorado, but the risk of significant drought affecting the state is minimal.
New data out Thursday from the National Drought Mitigation Center shows abnormally dry conditions for most of Boulder and Larimer counties, and parts of southwest Colorado.
Brian Fuchs, a climatologist at the drought center, said the state as a whole is looking good. Just a few months ago, 30 percent of the state was abnormally dry, compared to just 7 percent now, thanks to a wet winter.
“Some of the dryness and drought that we did see earlier has diminished and went away," Fuchs said. "And right now for mid-July, Colorado is in fairly good shape."
Fuchs said the drought map is similar to this time a year ago. He does not think dryness in parts of the state has caused any spike in wildfire activity beyond the typical wildfire season. But he said hot and dry conditions could carry a greater fire risk.
