MESA COUNTY, Colo. (RFD News) — Three wildland firefighters were killed this week while responding to a wildfire in Mesa County.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says two additional firefighters were injured battling the same fire.
The Interior Department says the wildfire has burned more than 28,000 acres and has assembled a Serious Accident Investigation Team to review the line-of-duty deaths and determine what happened.
While the investigation continues, recovery efforts remain underway in burned forests across the country.
The U.S. Forest Service says removing hazard trees, reopening roads and salvaging burned timber helps make forests safe again for public use.
Last year, nearly 78,000 wildfires burned more than 5 million acres across the United States.
Weather and production challenges are creating uncertainty around two key ingredients.
October 16, 2026 01:30 PM
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Some dryland fields are being lost after months of challenging weather.
October 16, 2026 12:31 PM
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Stronger export and crush demand could help offset pressure from USDA’s record yield forecast.
October 16, 2026 11:01 AM
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Reduced yields have some producers considering rotating their alfalfa fields.
October 15, 2026 05:00 PM
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ASFMRA’s Brandon Durant discusses rising Southeast land values, development pressures, weather challenges, and how succession planning keeps family farms operating for future generations.
October 14, 2026 04:30 PM
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USDA Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins highlights basic biosecurity steps as wild bird migration renews concerns about avian influenza in poultry and cattle.
October 14, 2026 02:00 PM
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