On Thursday at 8:51 p.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated fire weather watch valid from Friday 10 a.m. until Saturday midnight for Central and East Adams and Arapahoe counties, North and Northeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet/North Lincoln County and Southeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet/South Lincoln County.

Residents can expect winds to be southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph and relative humidity as low as 14 percent.

“Strong west winds, sustained 45-55 mph with gusts upwards of 85-105 mph, are expected in the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson counties beginning early Friday morning. Relative humidity values are expected to drop into the low teens, possibly upper single digits. While Red Flag conditions, critical fire weather, are expected across a larger area in northern Colorado, the most extreme conditions are expected to be along Highway 93 from Jefferson County into Boulder County and along US-36 north of Boulder to the Larimer County line and westward. There will be a high potential for fast moving wildfires, should any new starts occur. Winds toward I-25 and eastward will be slower to develop, and also speeds will be considerably lighter. That said, gusts of 25-40 mph are still expected to combine with very low humidity and cured grasses to support critical fire weather conditions. Areas farther east into eastern Adams, Arapahoe, Elbert, and Lincoln counties have more uncertainty if those winds even develop, so those locations remain under a Fire Weather Watch. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend well into the evening hours,” according to 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