Cheyenne, WY – A week of hot, gusty winds and bone-dry air has triggered a Red Flag Warning for Carbon and Albany counties, where the risk of fast-moving wildfires will stay elevated from noon Monday through 6 p.m. Friday. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, and any spark could rapidly escalate into a dangerous blaze.
According to the National Weather Service in Cheyenne, humidity levels will plunge as low as 5 percent most afternoons, with wind gusts reaching 40 mph at times. This combination is expected to create multiple days of critical fire weather, especially for communities like Rawlins, Saratoga, Arlington, and Baggs.
Residents across southern Wyoming are urged to delay any outdoor burning, secure trailers and equipment to avoid sparks, and remain alert for sudden changes in wind direction. Utility crews and fire departments will be on heightened alert as conditions remain volatile.
The warning covers a wide swath along I-80, with highways and rural roads at risk for low visibility and fast-spreading grass fires. If you live near open fields or rangeland, keep vehicles off dry grass and have an evacuation plan in place.
The Red Flag Warning remains active through 6 p.m. Friday, with additional advisories possible if dry, windy weather continues into the weekend.
