Steeper slopes also hamper suppression efforts. Historically, fire occurrence is greater on south and southwest-facing slopes due to lower amounts of fuel, higher temperatures, lower humidity, and lower fuel moisture. Weather, the most critical and the most unpredictable element of fire behavior, is constantly changing and often determines fire size. Hot, dry, windy days create favorable conditions for wildfire. In Colorado these conditions can occur anytime throughout the year.
Most large fires are wind-driven events.
Wildfire cannot be eliminated from forested ecosystems. Where hazardous fuels, difficult terrain, and extreme weather exist, all that is needed for a wildfire to occur is an ignition source. Fire Ignition Sources Lightning strikes the earth an average of 100 times each second, totaling over 3 billion strikes each year. The wildfire safety recommendations provided by Larimer County's Wildfire Safety Task Force are an attempt to establish a reasonable set of standards and guidelines to minimize the loss of life and property from wildfire.