National Weather Service warns of warm, dry 2026; Adams County readies EOC, IGAs and shelter plans
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Summary
The National Weather Service told commissioners that La Niña‑driven drought and low snowpack make a warm, dry 2026 likely with elevated fire risk; county emergency management described actions including EOC staffing, mass‑care IGAs, evacuation planning, animal evacuation arrangements and a July adoption of wildland‑urban interface codes.
The National Weather Service briefed Adams County commissioners on a 2026 fire‑weather outlook and county emergency management described preparedness steps for an elevated wildfire season.
NWS meteorologist Greg Hevner said a persistent La Niña signal produced unusually warm and dry conditions that reduced soil moisture and snowpack across much of the state. He highlighted elevated vapor‑pressure deficits and a higher probability of moisture deficits through spring, summer and into fall and said El Niño’s arrival later in the year is not guaranteed to reverse dry conditions for Eastern Colorado.
"We're going the wrong way," Hevner summarized, noting higher probabilities of dry, warm conditions and continued wildfire potential across the front range.
Ron Stigman, Adams County emergency manager, said the county has been included in a federal drought disaster declaration that brings some grant resources for agriculture. He described operational preparations: strengthening EOC staffing and software (a new EOC management tool planned for May 1), mass‑care and sheltering IGAs (including the fairgrounds and a sheltering IGA with Bennett), evacuation transportation planning with local school districts, development of regional WIC (Wildland Initiated Community) frameworks, and public education regarding red‑flag days and PSPS (public safety power shutoffs).
Stigman emphasized the importance of regional coordination, consistent evacuation terminology (evacuation warning/order/defend‑in‑place) and planned regional exercises; the county will present a wildland‑fire‑code adoption to the board in July.
Next steps: county will continue public outreach, finalize IGAs for shelter and water resources, implement the EOC management platform and hold exercises to test evacuation and mass‑care plans.
