Critical fire weather conditions are a concern in Colorado on Saturday

DENVER – Fire danger will be high across Colorado on Saturday as gusty winds, above-average temperatures and low humidity could fuel potential wildfires.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Boulder has issued a red flag warning for much of Colorado's Front Range, mountains and northeastern plains, starting at 10 a.m. and lasting until 9 p.m

The red flag warning replaces a fire weather warning previously issued for the same areas.

“Winds will increase with gusts between 40 and 45 mph, particularly through the northern Front Range mountains where we have a fire threat,” said Denver7 meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo.

Adding to the concern will be low relative humidity, expected to be around 15 percent. “The fire danger is definitely much higher on Saturday as temperatures skyrocket,” Hidalgo said.

The entire Denver metro area and communities stretching north and south along the I-25 corridor from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins are included in Saturday's fire weather watch.

Colorado's foothills, mountain communities and eastern plains are also under observation.

“The conditions will be favorable for the fire to spread quickly. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that could create a spark and start a wildfire,” the NWS added.

NWS boulders

The high temperature is expected to rise to around 88 degrees in Denver Saturday afternoon, likely breaking the old record of 86 degrees set in 1997.

Ahead of Saturday's fire weather watch, a red flag warning is in effect for the northern Front Range Mountains and North Park until 7 p.m. Friday, according to the NWS.

“Record to near-record warmth combined with increasing and gusty winds and very dry conditions will bring widespread critical fire weather conditions Saturday,” the NWS said. “The strongest winds will extend from the mountains and northern foothills across the northern and eastern plains.”

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Even as the calendar moves into fall, Colorado's heat wave is expected to last into next week and beyond.

In addition to the fire threat, Denver's 10-day forecast shows warmer-than-average temperatures and drier conditions will continue as Colorado's drought monitor indicates severe drought in many areas of the state.

“Drought conditions have unfortunately worsened here in recent weeks,” Hidalgo said. “We have a severe drought region in southeastern Colorado that is also affecting the Denver metro area and the northern mountains and foothills of the Front Range.”

Denver's 10-day forecast shows afternoon highs will warm to the high 80s, while lows will only fall into the lower 50s and upper 40s.

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