Hail season has hit Colorado hard in the last couple of weeks, and wind is a constant companion to those who live in the state, so it isn’t surprising that insurance claims are at the forefront of many people’s minds.

A weekend of dangerous heat, strong winds and vegetation parched by a historic drought spurred the explosive growth of scores of wildfires across the West — including a blaze that killed three federal firefighters — with few signs of relief in the days ahead.

BEAVER, Utah (AP) — Blistering heat and strong winds Sunday stoked wildfires across the West after three firefighters were killed a day earlier in Colorado while battling a blaze along the state's border with Utah.