Large wildfires unfortunately are part of summer in Colorado, and 2025 is shaping up to be another challenging year.
Five wildfires burning as of July 21 in western Colorado won’t be contained before August at the earliest, according to fire officials, and more could certainly occur this summer.
Drought and record-setting heat set the stage for explosive fires in recent years, and with more than 25,000 acres in Colorado scorched over the past week and a half, the threat continues.
There are steps you can take to help wildfire victims and firefighters on the scene. Here’s a guide to helping.
Can I donate food to firefighters battling wildfires?
Not really. They are well fed on site by food service professionals and health concerns and contracting rules often lead to donated food being wasted.
For example, while bringing homemade treats seems like a nice gesture, firefighters at a fire camp can’t take the risk of eating them. They don’t know if the food was safely handled and prepared, and there are instances of firefighters being intentionally sickened by donated goodies. Your cookies may be delicious and perfectly handled, but they most likely will be thrown away.
More: 5 major Colorado wildfires continue to burn. Here’s the latest on the fires
A notice posted about the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw fires said contracting rules also prohibit accepting packaged foods, even if they are factory sealed. In some states, fire crews can accept such donations, but storing and distributing them adds to the logistical complexity of a fire camp. The foods also have to be appropriate to the environment — no energy drinks that can cause dehydration and nothing that will melt or spoil in high temperatures.
In most cases, donated foods are just set aside until they can hopefully be delivered to a food bank. But they may never make it there. Fire officials instead encourage people to just donate packaged food and beverages directly to food banks, which are often involved in supplying evacuation centers for those displaced by fires.
Where can I donate money to help wildfire victims?
In addition to local food banks, fire officials recommend donations to the Red Cross and other organizations that operate evacuation shelters or otherwise support people displaced by wildfires.
Donations are also encouraged to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, which provides “assistance to firefighters and their families in times of need.” That support includes financial aid, physical and emotional support and advocacy, according to the foundation’s website.
What should I not do?
There are several don’ts when wildfires are near:
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Don’t ignore evacuation orders. They are serious, well considered and urgent. If emergency crews have to get you out for choosing not to leave, you could face civil or criminal penalties.
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Don’t try to go into closed or evacuated areas to watch the fires. If you’re in the way, crews are slowed down, and every second can make a difference. If the moral reason isn’t enough, you can also face civil penalties and jail time.
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Don’t fly drones over wildfires. If you’re in the air, fire crews can’t be — whether they are flying their own drones or manned aircraft to map the blazes or dropping foam and water. And again, you could be prosecuted if your drone gets in the way of fire suppression, with civil penalties of up to $20,000 and up to two years in jail.
Nate Trela covers trending news in Colorado and Utah for the USA TODAY Network.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado wildfires: Here’s how to help those affected
