Continuing windy weather in Colorado prompts red flag warning over fire danger.

Strong winds continued in Colorado on Thursday, prompting a widespread red flag warning about fire danger in the metro area, along the Front Range and on the Eastern Plains.

“Fire danger remains a concern” on Thursday afternoon because of “strong, gusty west winds and low humidity,” the National Weather Service said as part of the warning. “Avoid burning or any outdoor activity that may produce a spark and start a fast-moving wildfire.”

The widespread warning is posted to expire at 7 p.m. Thursday.

In the mountains, a wind gust of 53 mph was reported on Berthoud Pass. At Denver International Airport a gust of 36 mph was recorded on Thursday.

At the airport on Thursday, 41 flights were delayed between noon and 4 p.m., according to flightaware.com. Airport officials described operations as normal.

Dry and windy weather is expected to continue into the weekend, according to the weather service.

“Areas of elevated to critical fire weather conditions will continue across much of the plains into the weekend” because of breezy conditions and low humidity, according to the NWS forecast.

In southeastern Colorado, two ongoing wildfires, driven by days of strong winds, have burned more than 4,000 acres, according to firefighters.

A fire weather watch, is posted for southeastern Colorado from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday  including Otero and Bent counties, where the Bent’s Fort and Fort Lyon fires are burning.

The watch means that critical fire weather conditions are part of the forecast and that residents and travelers should be aware and prepared should the watch be upgraded to a Red Flag Warning.

Source: Read Full Article