Gusty winds and very low humidity have triggered a Red Flag Warning for Boulder County on Sunday, June 28, with forecasters warning that any fire could spread rapidly. In a short video posted online, Boulder County Sheriff’s deputies told residents that all open burning, including agricultural burning, is prohibited while the alert is active.
What the Red Flag Warning Means
The warning covers much of the high country, foothills and adjacent plains and is in effect Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. MDT. A warm, dry air mass is expected to combine with west-to-southwest gusts and relative humidity dipping into the low teens, creating conditions favorable for rapid fire spread, according to the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder.
County Ban and Enforcement
Boulder County’s fire rules automatically prohibit open burning when the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning. The Sheriff’s Office drove that home in its video post, saying that "open burning including agricultural burning is prohibited" while the warning is in effect, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. The county's fire-restrictions page explains which kinds of burns and permits are affected and how residents can register burns when conditions improve, per Boulder County.
How Residents and Land Managers Should Respond
Landowners and managers are urged to cancel planned burns, postpone use of chain-saws or welding in the open, and clear flammable material away from structures and machinery. "Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire," the National Weather Service said in its fire-weather message. Local officials advise calling 911 immediately if you see smoke or flames. If you live in brushy or foothills neighborhoods, take photos of property and have an evacuation plan ready.
Why This Matters Now
The warning comes amid an unusually active fire-weather season: the Denver-Boulder forecast office has issued a high number of red-flag alerts so far this year, a pattern noted by Colorado Public Radio. Drought across much of the state has left fuels dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, meaning any ignition can spread faster than in a wetter year.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for county alerts and keep cell phones on for emergency notifications, as the Sheriff’s Office and local fire districts will post updates if restrictions change. People who live near open space or the foothills should keep a go-bag ready and know at least two ways out of their neighborhood until the warning has expired.
