The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center has released their prediction in regard to temperature and precipitation for the next three months – and relatively uncomfortable conditions are likely.

According to the NWS seasonal temperature outlook, August through October is expected to be warmer-than-normal around much of the United States, with some of the highest-above-norm temperatures expected in Colorado. Western Colorado, in particular, should be especially hot.

Meanwhile, a large portion of the Midwest and the Western United States is expected to be drier-than-normal during the same time frame, with northern and northwest Colorado included in the portion of the country that should see the biggest gap between anticipated dryness and the norm during the aforementioned three-month period.

Not only does this mean Colorado will likely be, in general, hot and dry for many weeks to come, these conditions could increase levels of drought and wildfire risk.

This makes it crucial to follow best practices in terms of fire safety, only creating a fire when conditions are safe and when that fire is truly needed. Remember that creating a fire in the backcountry always comes with a level of risk.

When a fire is created, it’s crucial to make sure that it’s fully extinguished before leaving it behind. This means that all ash and coals are cool to the touch. The best way to ensure a fire is out is to douse it in water, stir this water into the ash, and repeat. Don’t forget that the absence of smoke isn’t enough to ensure a campfire has been properly extinguished. When wind blows through an area, hot coals buried under a top layer of ash can be reignited – even hours or days after a campfire has been improperly extinguished.

Find additional weather predictions on the NOAA National Weather Service Climate Prediction website here.