GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) -- The recent snowfall is giving Colorado a much needed drink of water.
Snowpack levels have increased a little closer to normal-- right around 78 percent-- but they are still well below where they need to be.
Peak snowfall is typically measured in early April, but it would take twice the amount of snowfall that is normal for the month of March to bring the snowpack level to 100 percent of normal.
As a result of those lower snowpack levels, forest officials believe this will be another busy year for wildfires.
Officials say late winter storms have helped, but the south and southwestern U.S. are expected to dry out heading into May and June.
That will give way to a season much like last year, when more than 14,500 square miles were charred. That's an area bigger than the state of Maryland.
A dozen lives were lost last year, and more than 2,200 homes and businesses were destroyed.
