At 8:54 p.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service released an updated fire weather watch valid for Wednesday between noon and 8 p.m. for South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park counties above 9,000 feet, Central and Southeast Park County and Jefferson and West Douglas counties above 6,000 feet/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Northeast Park counties below 9,000 feet.

Expect winds to be southwest 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph and relative humidity as low as 8%.

“A warm and dry airmass will coincide with gusty west and southwest winds today. Sustained winds are expected to be 15 to 25 mph across much of the high country with gusts up to 40 mph, strongest for exposed areas and higher elevations. These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area. Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions,” says the NWS. “Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.”

A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings.

Source: The National Weather Service