Moisture in Summit County is keeping fire danger low so far this summer, according to Mathew Benedict, the Red, White and Blue Fire Protection District division chief of wildfire and community preparedness. Smokey Bear fire danger signs will stay at “low” for now.

Benedict wrote in an email June 3 that there are some indications conditions will get more dry and cause the fire danger rating to increase, though. The U.S. Drought Monitor, he wrote, is showing initial signs of drought in the county, and expected temperatures are starting to creep above seasonal averages.

“Given that June is historically dry and windy, we are expecting to see both the fire danger and the drought index to rise once the spring moisture dries up,” Benedict wrote.

Red, White and Blue Fire District recommends residents clean up leaf litter and pine needles around their homes. The district and Summit Fire & EMS mitigation specialists offer free home evaluations, he added.

“We have had a few aggressive wildfires in the past this time of year, so although it’s easy to be complacent in regard to the risk of wildfire in the spring, the risk is real,” Benedict wrote. “We can help guide you to make your home more resilient from wildfires.”