The intensity of the wildfires coupled with climate change hitting Colorado hard this year has pushed state officials to put limitations on fishing spots and restrictions on certain camping spots. It is taking away the very few outdoor activities that people have during the hard times caused by COVID-19. This month has an average daily temperature of 80 degrees fahrenheit, which causes stream flows to shrink and farmers crops to wilt.This is hard on towns like Eaton that thrive off of crops.

Colorado has had over 170,000 acres of land burned down by the fires. With the Pine Culch fire quickly spreading, it has already become the second largest wildfire in Colorado history, consuming over 125,000 acres. Grizzly Creek, Cameron Peak, and Williams Fork are the remaining main wildfires burning a total of 50,000 acres of land.

Diminished air quality is causing many concerns, including for athletes as softball and cross country are in season and still up and running. Choir teacher and advisor Contreras said, “All of this smoke in the air, especially for all of us and our health right now, I just worry about everybody.” 

Outside is also the only time that students are allowed to take their masks off, which makes the smoke even more noticeable. With the light smell of smoke constantly flowing around, it can be a distraction as the students can’t escape the smell no matter which part of the school they go to.

2020 has brought a lot of surprises, but the students and teachers at EHS are staying focused and pushing through it with positive attitudes and excellent teamwork.