Anticipating a challenging summer wildfire season, forecasters with Colorado's Division of Fire Prevention and Control are preparing to rely heavily on a pair of state-owned aircraft-both to detect fires early and to assist in fighting them once they ignite.

Some property owners could face higher requirements for structure hardening and defensible space as local governments adopt a state wildfire resiliency code.

Amid a historically hot and dry winter, the Colorado Department of Transportation will repurpose $12 million in unused snowplow funds for summertime wildfire mitigation efforts along the state’s highways.

The 24 fire, burning along Colorado 115 between Colorado Springs and Penrose, has scorched 7,385 acres and is at zero percent containment, according to a Fort Carson spokesperson. The blaze, which started Wednesday morning along the east side of the highway before jumping onto Fort Carson land,