High temperatures and dry, windy conditions are expected to fuel the risk of wildfires across Colorado on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency issued a Red Flag Warning early Saturday morning for the Denver metropolitan area and other parts of Colorado, saying gusty west and northwest winds combined with low humidity and unseasonal heat would drive fire danger.
“Given (that) vegetation has dried significantly in recent weeks, this combination of factors will lead to widespread critical fire weather conditions across the forecast area from late morning through early evening,” the warning states.
Impacted counties include Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Jefferson and Lincoln. Relative humidity may be as low as 8% across lower elevations or 10% in higher elevations. Wind speeds of 10 to 15 mph were forecast along with gusts of up to 25 mph.
The elevated fire risk is expected to last from the late morning, about 10 a.m., through the early evening, around 7 p.m. The warning means residents should avoid outdoor burning as well as any activities that could produce sparks which could ignite a wildfire, including throwing lit cigarettes or matches out of their vehicles.
Denver is expected to see a high of 87 on Saturday, falling to 47 overnight, according to the National Weather Service. Sunday will be warm and clear, with a high of 80 and an overnight low of 50 forecast.