Conditions are “ripe” for wildfire in Southwest Colorado, and careless or unconscious behavior could spark “pretty quick fire movement,” said Butch Knowlton, La Plata County director of emergency preparedness.

High precipitation early this year spurred growth of grasses and weeds, plants that have since dried from frost and low moisture this fall, Knowlton said. The prevalence of light fuels mixed with high winds and a dry atmosphere extended Southwest Colorado’s wildfire season, he said.

“Typically, people associate colder temperatures with less fire activity,” Knowlton said.

“Until we get snow or heavy precipitation that crushes or knocks down those fuels, we could see fire spread real quick,” Knowlton said.

Durango Fire Protection District Chief Hal Doughty said he has retained summer firefighting crews because of the increased risk of wildfire. DFPD has not reduced the number of burn permits it has issued, Doughty said, but people lighting controlled burns “really need to use a lot of caution.”

“People are on edge because of the fires in California,” Doughty said. “We are absolutely keeping an eye out as well.”

bhauff@durangoherald.com