Together, five wildfires burning on Colorado’s Western Slope have consumed hundreds of square miles, destroying at least five homes and 19 outbuildings, fire officials said.

While medical treatment and sanitary improvements have lessened its impact, the bubonic plague — responsible for the Black Death in the 14th century — could still be alive in your backyard. Early in August,

Drought conditions in Colorado continued to worsen this week with the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report detailing “exceptional drought” conditions in the region where the state’s largest wildfires are burning.

At least 15 fires have burned more than 209,000 acres across Delta, Dolores, Garfield, Grand, Mesa, Moffat, Montrose, and Rio Blanco counties, as well as in parts of eastern Utah.

While the smoke is worst along the Western Slope where the fires are burning, levels are also fluctuating on the Front Range. Widespread moderate to heavy smoke was evident in Rio Blanco, Garfield, Routt, Jackson, Grand and Summit counties on Thursday morning.

Across the Western Slope, smoke in the air has been a common sight, experts said it’s no coincidence. Drought conditions have left the landscape dry, making it easier for fires to spread. Much of the region has experienced extreme to exceptional drought conditions, due to constant high temperatures following a dry winter season.

Air quality alerts are in place again for the entire Western Slope as firefighters battle more than 20 fires. The Colorado Department of Public Health has issued two air quality health advisories for

If we have another year like this next year and Wolford (Mountain Reservoir) gets drawn down farther, then we’re in a precarious spot.”