Top: Amy and Rudy Stauffer stand among the rubble of their Wildcat Canyon Road home that was destroyed by the Simms Fire in northern Ouray County in May. High winds blew up a U.S.

Forest Service prescribed burn that was left unattended, scorching more than 300 acres and three structures.

Left: Ouray School kindergarten teacher Kasey Chertack works with Bracken Davis on an activity to identify sounds and letters.

Despite the county’s record-high cases in January, she s...