So a few years ago I served on a planning commission in Colorado and we dealt with a lot of wildfire issues. I've attended multiple seminars about fire prevention. I've seen pictures of other burned neighborhoods that look just like this. One home spared, one just like it gone. What I learned is that the fire spreads through burning embers lifted into the air and then dropping to the ground. If they land on a flammable surface the fire spreads. The single best defense is to minimize these horizontal flammable surfaces. Wood decks, bark mulch in landscaping, even patio furniture. Anything an ember can ignite. I can't tell you what happened here but I can say it's not uncommon.
So a few years ago I served on a planning commission in Colorado and we dealt with a lot of wildfire issues. I've attended multiple seminars about fire prevention. I've seen pictures of other burned neighborhoods that look just like this. One home spared, one just like it gone. What I learned is that the fire spreads through burning embers lifted into the air and then dropping to the ground. If they land on a flammable surface the fire spreads. The single best defense is to minimize these horizontal flammable surfaces. Wood decks, bark mulch in landscaping, even patio furniture. Anything an ember can ignite. I can't tell you what happened here but I can say it's not uncommon.
Not uncommon, since 9/11 we’ve seen similar fires. I expect started the same way. This is the new normal of fires.