Red Flag Warning Issued for Colorado Foothills: High Winds and Low Humidity Expected Tuesday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity. This alert, classified with a severity level of ‘Severe,’ signifies that critical fire weather conditions are imminent or occurring. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts Fire Weather Zones 215 and 216, which include the following geographic regions:

• Larimer and Boulder Counties between 6,000 and 9,000 feet.
• Jefferson and West Douglas Counties above 6,000 feet.
• Gilpin, Clear Creek, and Northeast Park Counties below 9,000 feet.

What You Should Do

Residents are urged to prepare for critical fire conditions. Avoid all outdoor burning and any activities that may produce a spark and start a wildfire. Because conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread, extreme caution is necessary to prevent fire starts.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: Sustained west winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected, with gusts reaching as high as 80 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Humidity levels are forecast to drop as low as 18 percent.
• Impacts: Any fires that start will likely spread rapidly due to the high wind speeds and dry conditions.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is scheduled to be in effect from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.