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Q..What precautions should people be taking around their homes to help protect them from wildfire?
A. Ensure that your property is "fire wise" by creating a defensible space around your home and other buildings.

Q. How did our relatively wet spring impact the wildfire threat in Routt County?
A. It basically delayed it and allowed for the fine fuels such as grasses and weeds to grow up to become what we call ladder fuels that can assist in the spread of fire after they begin to cure and dry out.

Q. Are we already losing ground in terms of any reduction of threat? What is the forecast for this summer's fire season?
A. We still have a long way to go in terms of fire potential. For every day we move closer to winter we get a lesser probability of fire. We are still in a drought and will be for several years, as the summer weather patterns move into this area we will dry out and the forecasted monsoon season is expected to be here in mid-to late July that will increase the likelihood of afternoon thunderstorms with lightning.

Q.. Many people are planning to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, camping trips and the like. Are any fire or firework restrictions in place? If not, are there certain precautions people should take?
A. There are no fire restrictions in place on private land in Routt County. We always want people to be extremely careful with campfires and fireworks. Never leave a campfire alone and always ensure that they are completely out and cold when you leave. Please be careful with children and fireworks. Any fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal in Colorado, and remember that no fireworks are allowed in the forest.
Q. What else should residents be aware of in terms of fire prevention?
A. Another great idea is to know the kind of trees that are in your neighborhood and the health of the forest around you. With the age of the forest and the beetle epidemic in the area, it would good to understand the health and what to do if you think your trees are unhealthy. There is help for people to identify what should be done from the Colorado State Forest Service at 879-0475 and there is literature available from the Extension Service at 879-0825.