On Wednesday at 6:49 p.m. the National Weather Service released an updated red flag warning valid for Thursday between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. for Colorado.
Residents can expect winds to be northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph and relative humidity as low as 6%.
“Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically,” states the NWS.
The full list of affected locations includes:
• Upper Arkansas River Valley including Lake County and Chaffee County
• Teller County/Rampart Range including Pikes Peak and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
• Southern Front Range including Sangre De Cristo Mountains/Wet Mountains/La Veta Pass
• Southern El Paso County including Fort Carson and Colorado Springs
• Pueblo County including Pueblo
• Huerfano County including Walsenburg
• Western Las Animas County including Trinidad and Thatcher
• Crowley County including Ordway
• Otero County including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands
• Eastern Las Animas County including Pinon Canyon
• Kiowa County including Eads
• Bent County including Las Animas
• Prowers County including Lamar
• Baca County including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands
What does a red flag warning mean?
A red flag warning indicates that either extreme fire weather conditions are currently happening or will happen soon, as per the NWS. Warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire to spread rapidly.
What should you do under a red flag warning?
A red flag warning demands vigilance and immediate readiness to respond to potential fires. The NWS provides these vital guidelines to minimize fire hazards and ensure your safety:
1. Bolster burn barrel safety:
If burning is authorized in your vicinity, ensure that all burn barrels feature a weighted metal cover with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.
2. Mindful disposal of smoking materials:
Steer clear of haphazardly discarding lit cigarette butts and avoid flinging cigarettes or matches from moving vehicles. These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
3. Properly extinguish outdoor fires:
To thwart accidental fires, diligently extinguish all outdoor fires. Suffocate them with an ample deluge of water and stir to ensure complete cooling. Submerge charcoal in water until it’s entirely devoid of heat. Never leave live charcoal unattended.
4. Never leave fires unattended:
Avoid abandoning any fire without supervision. Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions. Prioritize safety, stay impeccably informed, and assume responsibility to shield lives and property.
Source: The National Weather Service