New app feature could save your life during outdoor recreation in Colorado

On Thursday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced that a new feature has been added to the Colorado Trail Explorer app, also known as COTREX, with that feature set to hopefully make fire season safer for those exploring the state.

The new feature focuses on informing users about fire-related happenings, including information about both wildfires and prescribed burns.

Fire-related alerts will now automatically appear on the website and app, with details of what's going on, including information about fire boundaries, as well as information about where additional resources can be found.

While this new feature can be used as a research tool prior to hitting the trail, the regular updates can also make it easier to stay up-to-date with fire happenings while participating in activities like hiking and camping, provided you have cell phone service.

"This tool is designed to help outdoor recreationists make informed decisions about exploring an area," reads a press release on the update. "Wildfires are unpredictable, and conditions can change rapidly, even minute by minute. All information in COTREX comes directly from the best available public sources, but it can still vary in accuracy and timeliness. Always contact local authorities for the most up-to-date information. Alerts will not update when outside of cell service or on downloaded maps."

The wildfire notification update adds to many reasons to download and use the COTREX app. It's best known for offering a great trail mapping system that can also be downloaded and used when outside of cell reception.

Learn more about this service and app here.