Denver, Colorado – Outdoor burning or even a stray spark could ignite a fast-moving wildfire by late Sunday morning as dry air and gusty winds return to the eastern Colorado plains.
According to the National Weather Service in Denver/Boulder, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST Sunday for Washington, northern Lincoln, Sedgwick and Phillips counties. Relative humidity will drop as low as 11 to 12 percent while southwest winds increase to 15 to 25 mph, gusting up to 40 mph.
Conditions will remain volatile into early next week. A Fire Weather Watch is posted for Washington and Lincoln counties Monday morning through Monday afternoon, with similar wind speeds and critically low humidity.
The greatest concern arrives Tuesday. West winds are forecast to strengthen to 30 to 45 mph with gusts reaching 65 mph across parts of the plains. Sedgwick and Phillips counties could see gusts up to 55 mph. Humidity will again fall near 12 percent, creating the potential for extreme fire behavior and rapid spread.
Communities including Limon, Akron, Sterling, Holyoke and Julesburg should avoid outdoor burning, secure trailer chains and keep vehicles off dry grass. Officials warn that fires may grow quickly and become difficult to control, especially Tuesday afternoon. Additional Red Flag Warnings are likely as confidence increases in the stronger wind event.
