Another bout of “critical fire conditions” will hit Colorado’s Front Range and Eastern Plains late Saturday morning as strong winds and dry weather continue, according to the National Weather Service.
Strong winds up to 75 mph are possible, and single-digit humidity is expected, forecasters said.
Red flag warnings will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday for Arapahoe, Baca, Boulder, Broomfield, Chaffee, Crowley, Douglas, Denver, El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Huerfano, Jefferson, Kiowa, Las Animas, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Otero, Phillips, Pueblo, Sedgwick, Washington and Weld counties, .
“Extreme fire danger is expected,” forecasters said in one alert for southern Colorado. “Fires will uncontrollably spread and be very destructive.”
Forecasters expect wind gusts up to 55 mph in southern Colorado, 60 mph across the Interstate 25 corridor — including Denver — and 70 mph in the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson counties. Humidity values as low as 8% are expected.
according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, which is part of the same federal agency as the weather service.
High wind warnings will also be in effect for the Sawatch and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges in central Colorado from 6 p.m. Saturday to 3 p.m. Sunday, . Up to 75 mph wind gusts are forecast for the ranges.
“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines,” forecasters wrote in the wind warnings. “Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. … Blowing dust could reduce visibility to under a mile at times.”
