Colorado firefighters scramble as resources get "very, very slim"

Colorado officials are concerned about the state's ability to battle more than a dozen wildfires as resources get stretched thin nationwide.

The latest: The Polis administration is asking local fire agencies to bring home crews dispatched to help California and Pacific Northwest states battle blazes.

State of play: Because of the competition for firefighting resources nationwide, "I do get a little bit worried about our long haul, or ability to staff in the long term," Stan Hilkey, the state's executive director for public safety, acknowledged at a briefing Wednesday in Loveland near the Alexander Mountain fire .

• "I'd feel a lot more comfortable if we had some good resources back in the state."

By the numbers: An estimated 600 Colorado firefighters are currently assisting other states.

Threat level: Three wildfires near communities on the Front Range are competing for attention and finite aerial and ground firefighters. Officials said Wednesday that all three could burn for weeks if not months.

• Three air tankers and the state's Firehawk helicopter are rotating through fires in Loveland, Lyons and Jefferson County, Colorado officials said. Other resources have been dispatched to quash fires in Western Colorado that are threatening important watersheds.
• In addition, Wyoming sent two medium-sized helicopters to battle the fires and Gov. Jared Polis activated the Colorado National Guard to add manpower.

What they're saying: "Resources are very, very slim right now for fighting fires," Jefferson County sheriff's spokesperson Mark Techmeyer said Wednesday morning.

Between the lines: The governor told Axios Denver that Colorado needed more firefighting capability, especially aerial assets that drop water and fire retardant to protect structures and infrastructure in the wildfire's path.

• But he said the state is in a better position than ever to battle the blazes with the recent addition of the $26 million Firehawk helicopter.
• "The majority of resources that are being deployed are under Colorado's direct control," he said at the briefing. "If they weren't, it's likely they wouldn't even be here right now."