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EL PASO COUNTY, COLO. -- Blizzard conditions can vary depending on where you live.

For residents in rural El Paso County, the winds are usually stronger, making white-out conditions even worse.

"We just encourage the public to stay indoors and off the roads," Vernon Champlin with the Falcon Fire Department said.

If you absolutely have to go out in the storm, Champlin said be prepared, drive slow, and do not take risks.

He said in rural El Paso County, help is not always readily available.

"The fire department really serves all functions in a winter storm like this," Champlin said. "Not only are we concerned with traffic accidents, but also fires as people try to keep their houses warm."

Champlin said what people often forget is firefighters' safety.

"You have got to remember that if you do get out on the roads and you do get stranded, then you put other rescuers in harm and in danger," he said. "You ultimately may be sacrificing somebody else's other emergency."

Meanwhile the El Paso County Public Services Department said their snow plows will head out around 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Officials there are also asking residents to play it safe, and be wary of the fact conditions in the county are much different than in the city.

"East we get major drifting problems, you get tumbleweeds into fences and they make a snow fence and pile the drift across the road," Steve Barden with the county said.

If you do pull up behind a snow plow, Barden said stay back, and do not pass them.

He said if a lot of cars get stuck, their job changes.

"We can not get through, so that is taking away from us opening roads, and instead we are going and pulling people out," Barden said.

As always if you do have to go out in the weather, do not forget to pack an emergency kit filled with food, water and blankets.