Red Flag Warning Issued for Eastern Colorado Plains; Extreme Fire Weather Possible Tuesday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity. This alert is in effect for Sunday, February 15. Additionally, Fire Weather Watches remain in effect for Monday and Tuesday as a prolonged period of critical fire weather conditions is expected to impact the region.

Affected Areas

The warning and subsequent watches affect the following geographic areas in Colorado:

• Washington County
• North Lincoln County
• North and Northeast Elbert County (Below 6000 Feet)
• Fire Weather Zones 246 and 249

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to avoid all outdoor burning. Any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire should be avoided, as conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. A Red Flag Warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. Residents should continue to listen for later forecasts regarding the Fire Weather Watches currently in place for early next week.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions are characterized by recent dry spells and above-normal temperatures. Specific hazards include:

• Winds: Southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph are expected Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, winds are forecast to increase significantly to 30 to 45 mph with gusts reaching up to 65 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 11 percent.
• Fire Behavior: The combination of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures may contribute to extreme fire behavior and rapid spread.

Timeline

• Red Flag Warning: Effective Sunday, February 15, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST.
• First Fire Weather Watch: Effective Monday morning through Monday afternoon.
• Second Fire Weather Watch: Effective Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening, when extreme fire weather conditions are most likely.