This is going to sound like a Public Service Announcement, but remember only you...

...can prevent Forest Fires. Well, you and Smokey the Bear, but since he is animated, it is mostly up to you.

It is supposed to be in the high 60s and low 70s the rest of the week here in Denver. Yippee! Right? Well, sort of. This has been one of the warmest and driest winters in Denver on record. Even though the mountains are at 103% of average snow pack, we have only seen a total of 18 inches of snow this winter in Denver. That is total. Not this month or even 2009. That is 18 inches since September 2008. Usually Denver averages 45 inches by March.

Now I am no fan of cold, snow or winter, but this lack of moisture is going to make for a very dry Spring and even drier Summer. This means two things - drought and fire. Two things I hate more than cold, snow or winter.

Therefore I am encouraging everyone to do a two things:

1. Be smart. Prevent fires. Do not throw cigarette butts out your car window or on the ground. In fact, quit smoking. It will be better for everyone involved. Also, do not start any fires. I do not care if it ruins your camping experience. All you need is one stray amber to start a huge disaster. All I am asking is for everyone to think before they light a match or lighter.

2. Learn a rain dance. Google it and start dancing. We need rain and now. If we put a man on the moon, I think we should be able to figure out how to put a cloud in the sky.

I know you may think I am crazy, but we have already had a few brush fires in the Denver metro area in February and March. Ask the 90+ year old woman in Arvada whose home burned to the ground due to sparks from a train starting a grass fire, if it seems crazy. It can happen to anyone of us and it usually stems from carelessness.

Thanks for listening and spread the word on fire safety.