(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Two hunters, Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, were killed by a lightning strike in the San Juan National Forest in southern Colorado, as confirmed by the Conejos County Coroner.
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of Colorado’s weather, where lightning storms can occur year-round, posing a significant risk to those enjoying outdoor activities.
“We have to be prepared at all times,” said Martin Trujillo, the Executive Director for Colorado Youth Outdoors.
“Never be afraid of it. Just have to respect it,” Trujillo added, referring to the dangers of lightning.
Colorado ranks as the nation’s third leading area for electrical storms and lightning strikes, according to data from the National Weather Service. Since 1980, the state has averaged two deaths and 12 injuries annually due to lightning strikes.
FOX21 meteorologist Robert Hahn advises outdoor enthusiasts monitor weather forecasts closely ahead of any planned activities.
“Whatever your favorite place to get your forecast is, get that forecast for the next 6 hours, the next 12 hours, however long you’re going to be out and then just monitor the conditions,” said Hahn.
Hahn also recommends being prepared for sudden weather changes by bringing layers and a first aid kit. In the event of a storm, you should seek shelter away from open areas, noting that even clusters of trees or structures like campground pavilions can offer better protection.
“Safety is paramount in these unforgiving environments that here in the Colorado mountains,” Trujillo said.
For those who would like to expand their knowledge and preparedness when recreating outdoors, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers year-round safety classes to help enthusiasts stay safe. Experts also encourage people to make themselves easily visible to rescue teams with items like reflective clothing or a whistle in case they need help.
With the unpredictable weather in Colorado, experts stress the importance of preparation and respect for nature to ensure safety during outdoor activities.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by FOX21. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by FOX21 staff before being published.
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