The very dry fall last year and a relatively dry 2013 spring has increased the danger of wildfires, the Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch Center reported Thursday.

Add the human factor – the increased number of people traveling and recreating on Memorial Day weekend – and the fire-danger index leaps upward, the fire center said in news release.

“Even with our recent rains, it will take a substantial amount of moisture to pull us out of drought conditions,” said Justin Kincaid, a hazardous fuels specialist with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a red-flag warning for the entire southwest corner of Colorado through 9 p.m. today. A red-flag warning means meteorologists are at least 80 percent certain their forecast of gusty winds, low humidity and dry fuel – conditions that make a tinderbox of combustible materials – will hold, Joe Ramey said.

The fire watch in place for Saturday means the same conditions are likely to remain, but there is only 50 to 80 percent certainty, Ramey said.

The area of concern stretches from the Utah border to east of Pagosa Springs and from Grand Junction to the New Mexico line.

Federal authorities have not put restrictions on fires on public lands. If people are careful, they may not be necessary.

Fire officials recommend:

Keep vegetation and debris 10 feet from a campfire, and think twice about building a fire in windy conditions.

Keep a shovel and a bucket of water near the campfire.

Never leave a campfire unattended.

Upon leaving a campfire, stir water and dirt into the coals with a stick or shovel. Make sure the coals are cool to the touch.

Never throw cigarette butts from a car window.

Don’t park vehicles over dry vegetation.

Use approved spark arresters on off-road vehicles and chain saws.

Remember that fireworks are illegal on federal land. The penalty for a violation is a maximum of six months in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.

daler@durantoherald.com