COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Continuing drought conditions across the state are prompting state officials to remind landowners to prepare for wildfires.

"Although there is no guarantee firefighters will be able to save your home during a wildfire, the odds increase if you follow the best-available mitigation guidelines," Lisa Mason, outreach forester for the Colorado State Forest Service and Colorado's 'Are You FireWise?' program manager, said. "It's a good idea to get started now, before wildfire danger increases this spring."

Two principal guides for property protection were recently updated by the CSFS. Click here to see the new guidelines.

Those changes include recommended year-round maintenance of surface furls around the home, like mowing the lawn and raking up pine needle beds, officials said. Property owners are also reminded to keep gutters, decks and roofs clean of pine needles and other combustibles.

Also added to the guidelines was a section of understanding how wildfires can start directly from burning ember showers rather than just direct heat and flame.