With the winds we have today (30-35 mph in Boulder County), you could have fires that could outrace fire trucks trying to chase it. You could have fires that move so fast, you can't get out of the way on time. You could start not just losing a home, but home after home after home.
It burned hot and aggressive and spread fast because of the winds in the lighter vegetation and more south-facing slopes, then it tempered down when it got into the heavier timber area.
The problems with these high winds is not only is it sucking the moisture out of the fuel or the vegetation that's going to burn, but it also fanned the fire for a half a mile long and also got it into the trees causing safety problems for firefighters.