Red Flag Warning Means Critical Fire Conditions in Boulder County Today

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Red Flag Warning Means Critical Fire Conditions in Boulder County Amid Fierce Winds

Officials urge extreme caution as powerful wind gusts up to 55 mph and dangerously low humidity create a volatile fire risk, triggering strict burn bans across the county.

Boulder County is on high alert as a red flag warning signals the arrival of critical fire weather conditions for areas below 6,000 feet.

The National Weather Service issued the urgent warning, which is active from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., citing a dangerous combination of factors.

A potent mix of high temperatures, powerful winds, and extremely dry air has created a perilous environment ripe for rapid fire spread.

Sustained winds are forecast to blow between 15 and 25 mph, but the real threat comes from gusts expected to reach a staggering 55 mph.

Adding to the concern, relative humidity is projected to plummet to as low as 11%, turning grasslands and forests into tinderboxes.

In response, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office has emphasized that Stage 1 burn restrictions are firmly in place.

This means all open burning and agricultural burning is strictly prohibited.

This heightened state of alert is not without recent precedent, as the community is still reeling from two recent wildfires.

Just last week, a grass fire scorched 35 acres in southeastern Boulder, near the U.S. 287 and Northwest Parkway interchange.

Investigators believe a combine working in a cornfield sparked the blaze, which quickly spread to a haystack and forced area evacuations.

The smoke from that fire was visible for miles, a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can escalate.

Days before Christmas, another wildfire burned through three acres in Fourmile Canyon, west of Boulder.

That fire near Wild Turkey Trail was fueled by an unusually warm December day, a trend that has kept fire danger unseasonably high.

Officials are urging residents to be exceptionally vigilant.

What does a red flag warning mean for residents?

A red flag warning is the highest alert for fire danger. It signifies that current weather conditions can lead to extreme and rapid fire growth. Any activity that could create a spark, such as using outdoor equipment or parking a car on dry grass, is strongly discouraged.

What are the current burn restrictions in Boulder County?

Under the active red flag warning, Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect across unincorporated Boulder County. This prohibits any form of open burning, including campfires and agricultural burns, to prevent new fire starts during these critical conditions.