Grand Junction, Colorado – Wildfire danger remains high across western Colorado and eastern Utah as Red Flag Warnings stretch through Friday evening, with southwest gusts reaching up to 40 mph and relative humidity dropping as low as 5%.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, warnings are active from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, driven by hot, dry, and windy conditions across the region. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, and residents are urged to fully extinguish campfires and avoid activities that could spark flames.
Temperatures remain 5 to 10 degrees above seasonal norms, compounding already volatile fire conditions in counties such as Mesa, Garfield, and San Juan. Backcountry hikers and campers should stay alert and be prepared to evacuate quickly if a fire starts. Smoke visibility and air quality could also deteriorate in areas downwind of any new fires.
Some relief may arrive this weekend as temperatures begin to cool slightly and winds ease. However, elevated fire conditions could persist into early next week if dry air remains entrenched.
More advisories may be issued depending on weather trends.
