"We were lucky," he said.

Fire danger on Mount Charleston was moderate as summer turned to fall and temperatures dropped.

A wet winter would help ease the dry conditions but could increase the fire danger because the new plants could add fuel for a wildfire.

"It's a double-edged sword," said Jeff Underwood, the state climatologist.

Nevada's traditionally dry weather means every year has the potential for large wildfires, he said.

"No matter how our winter looks, our fire season is going to be dangerous," Underwood said.

Many of the state's wildfires are sparked by lightning. Underwood is studying lightning patterns in Nevada to try to predict bad fire seasons.

On Mount Charleston, the Nevada Fire Safe Council helps residents clear brush away from their homes.

Glenn said the U.S. Forest Service received a grant several years ago to remove dead trees in the forest, but the project has been held up by environmental studies.

"They have good intentions, but it seems they're caught up in government red tape," Glenn said.

A Forest Service spokesman did not return a call for comment.

Contact reporter Brian Haynes at bhaynes@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0281.