A record-breaking heat wave at the end of March has raised concerns that Colorado could be heading towards drought, increased wildfire risk and lasting water stress. Climate experts have warned that an unusually dry winter followed by an early-season heat spike could be a risky combination that could affect water conditions for years. A small grass fire broke out in Boulder's Chautauqua area on Sunday, burning about a half-acre before crews could extinguish it. The state experienced one of its warmest early spring periods in the last 40 years, suggesting that even with an average April moisture-wise outlook, "we're likely looking at being within a drought for a good chunk of the summer," according to Andrew Winters, an assistant professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. If conditions persist through April, additional water restrictions across the region are likely.