Goodland, KS – Wind gusts up to 55 mph will sweep across eastern Colorado, northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska by midday, creating explosive wildfire conditions that could overwhelm crews within minutes. The most dangerous window begins at 11 a.m. MST and continues through 7 p.m. MST.
According to the National Weather Service in Goodland, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect for Yuma, Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties in Colorado, along with Cheyenne and Sherman counties in Kansas and Dundy, Hitchcock and Red Willow counties in Nebraska. Northwest winds will range from 25 to 35 mph with humidity near 17 percent. Isolated high-based storms may develop this afternoon, bringing little rainfall but the threat of dry lightning and erratic gusts.
The strongest winds are expected first in Yuma County through mid-afternoon before spreading east. A sharp cold front will shift winds to the north-northwest later today, which could rapidly change fire direction and hinder containment efforts.
Residents should follow burn bans, avoid parking on dry grass and secure trailer chains. Any fire that starts today could spread quickly across open rangeland and cross highways such as I-70 and Highway 34.
The Red Flag Warning remains in effect until early this evening, with conditions improving after sunset.
