High winds and low humidity in Colorado prompted a far-flung fire danger warning as temperatures climbed into the 60s Wednesday.
The National Weather Service said Front Range communities experienced steady winds between 22 and 32 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph along the foothills.
Strong winds north of Denver stripped sheet metal off the side of a semi-trailer on Interstate 25 in Larimer County, according to the Colorado State Patrol. No injury was reported in the incident.
At Denver International Airport Wednesday afternoon, high winds, up to 53 mph gusts, delayed some flights, the airport said on Twitter.
Wind gusts reported to the weather service Wednesday include:
• 69 mph SW Boulder
• 68 mph NCAR Boulder
• 63 mph Rocky Flats
• 60 mph Monarch Pass
• 57 mph Rockport
• 53 mph DIA
Extreme winds and dry weather — humidity below 20 percent — combined Wednesday to fuel fire dangers.
The weather service posted a red flag warning on fire danger for the entire Eastern Plains through 7 p.m.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department fought a grass fire Wednesday afternoon in the Villa Loma Park area. The fire damaged a shed and a fence, but no homes. No injuries were reported.
“Fire behavior becomes very erratic when the humidity is low and the winds are high,” NWS meteorologist Nazette Rydell said.
With snow falling in the mountains Wednesday morning and winds gusting up to 49 mph, it’s probably not a good day to be standing on cliff ledges, she said.
“It’s a day you could blow off,” Rydell said.
It should remain blustery through the night in the Denver area with wind gusts of up to 34 mph, according to the NWS, and an overnight low of 29 degrees.
The highs will remain in the mid-60s Thursday through Saturday, before taking another jump to 71 degrees on Sunday, according to the NWS.
The low temperature Sunday night is projected to be 38 degrees.
There is a 10 percent chance of showers before 11 p.m. on Friday.
Forecasters say a cold front will enter the state by Monday, bringing a slight chance of rain and snow.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206, kmitchell@denverpost.com or @kirkmitchell or
