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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- It may still be winter, but four wildfires are burning across the U.S. right now, and red flag warnings have been on and off as a result of high winds and drought.

"It's spring, it's early, and it's not a great sign to see that this early in the season, we have still such dry conditions," explained Jane Zook, a Fire & Life Safety Educator with the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

Zook said folks need to take this seriously, and watch out for their kid's curiosity.

Two recent events have had the fire department hurrying to put out small fires to avoid them spreading out of control.

First, a fire in Red Rock Canyon Thursday started by a model rocket launch. Rockets are legal according to the fire code, unless a burn ban is in place, in which case a permit is required. This time, investigators say it was an accident.

But when it's not accidental, it can cause real trouble for fire setters like the six teens caught using aerosol cans and lighters near a creekbed in Sagebrush Park Saturday. Zook said often adolescents think fire is fascinating, and that they'll be able to put it out.

"Kids, especially young teenage boys are not thinking of the consequences when they're misusing fire," she said, "It spreads fast and they think they're immune to that, or that they can control it."
These middle school and high schoolers weren't immune to the consequences. They were charged with 4th degree arson, which means they will incur a fine and will take CSFD's "FireFactor" education program.

Toying with flammable items is an increasing trend, according to Zook, and she added it's a dangerous and frightening one for her department.

"We've seen quite a few accelerants such as aerosols: perfumes, cologne, things that are flammable being used, and it's very dangerous," she explained, "We've seen quite a few burn injuries recently and I think kids don't understand how flammable those things are because the aerosol is a vapor, so it's invisible."

With spring break coming up, she wouldn't be surprised if more small arson fires are set. She said it's important for parents to talk with their kids about the dangers a seemingly small fire could have, and the risks that could come when playing with flammable items.

If your child, or a child you know is misusing fire, CSFD's FireFactor program is open to all. It's made up of two components including a risk assessment and an educational class. A child and their parent/guardian can participate in a risk assessment to help identify a child's level of firesetting behavior. Firesetting ranges from curiosity, to crisis, to pathological.

You can find out more at http://www.springsgov.com/Page.aspx?NavID=3782