The National Weather Service (NWS) in Denver has issued a red flag warning for parts of Northern Colorado, including the Front Range I-25 urban corridor, due to critical fire weather conditions. The warning, which runs from 10 AM this morning until midnight MST tonight, encompasses Fire Weather Zones 238, 240, 241, 242, and 243.
According to the National Weather Service, residents in these areas can expect "strong west winds, sustained 45-55 mph with gusts upwards of 85-105 mph" in the foothills of Larimer, Boulder, and Jefferson Counties, starting early Friday morning. These high winds could potentially result in a high potential for fast-moving wildfires, should any new starts occur. Stronger gusts will be less likely as you move further east towards I-25, yet with gusts still predicted to reach 25-40 mph there, combined with very low humidity and cured grasses, critical fire weather conditions are still expected.
Conditions will be dry with relative humidity values expected to drop into the low teens, possibly upper single digits, the NWS report describes. Fire Weather Zones mentioned are counseled to avoid outdoor burning and activities that could produce sparks and start wildfires. Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread, cautions the NWS, urging the public to exercise extreme caution to prevent potential fire events.
Further to the weather woes, Denver residents and those in surrounding areas are bracing for extreme fire danger amid the blustery climate. Despite winds becoming lighter after midnight, the combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior, warned the NWS. The red flag warning is a grim reminder that Coloradans must remain vigilant, especially with the proximity of the holidays when families might traditionally engage in outdoor activities that could inadvertently start a blaze.
