Colorado releases its 2016 wildfire outlook

Firefighters expect another average or below average wildfire season in Colorado in 2016.

It’s the third mild season in a row.

Gov. John Hickenlooper and the state fire prevention director announced the outlook Tuesday morning in Denver.

The prediction is based on computer models that use weather conditions and forecasts, history and other factors.

Even though Colorado enters this season after a wet winter, Gov. Hickenlooper says everyone must be prepared for the worst.

He said, “Are you ready to evacuate in the event that you’re living in (a) wildland, urban interface? At the same time, are you doing everything you can to make sure that your house can withstand a wildfire?”

2014 and 2015 were comparatively easy for the state, after bad fire years in 2012 and 2013.