On Tuesday at 11:40 p.m. an updated fire weather watch was released by the National Weather Service valid for Thursday between noon and 8 p.m. for the Eastern Plains.

Winds are expected to be northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph and relative humidity as low as 7%.

“Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically,” explains the NWS.

The full list of affected locations includes:

• Upper Arkansas River Valley including Lake County and Chaffee County

• 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

• Bent County including Las Animas

• Prowers County including Lamar

• Baca County including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands

According to the NWS, 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