This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

DENVER — With high winds and dry conditions, firefighters at West Metro Fire Rescue say they are sending more resources to each fire.

“We have more fire engines, more brush trucks and more firefighters on the ground to catch a fire as quickly as possible,” Lt. Brendan Finnegan said.

He said on days such as Monday, residents need to take precautions because even the smallest of things can spark a massive blaze.

That includes something as minor as chains dragging from a trailer or a cigarette butt thrown out the window.

On Sunday night in Lakewood, a family improperly disposed of the ash from their outdoor fire pit and sparked a fire that damaged fences, an outbuilding and part of the house.

“We don’t really, truly have a standard fire season anymore along the Front Range. We have to be ready year round,” Finnegan said.