Long-range forecasts predict Colorado will see “normal” wildfire risk this year for much of the Western Slope, but the common refrain when it comes to predicting large-scale wildfire events is that it’s not a matter of if, but when. “It’s more fuel and more starts,” said Brandon McBride, wildfire risk-management specialist with Summit Fire & EMS. “It also has to do with forest health and forest density. Historically, our forests in the west from the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean were far less dense than they are. And they’re pretty thick right now, so we have a lot more available fuel than we used to.” Read more ...