Red Flag Warning

...PROLONGED CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED FOR THE HIGH COUNTRY TODAY AND AGAIN ON MONDAY...POTENTIALLY CONTINUING THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEK...

A warm and dry airmass will coincide with gusty west and southwest winds today, potentially continuing into early next week. Sustained winds are expected to exceed 20 to 30 mph across much of the high country Sunday afternoon, with gusts to 40 mph, strongest for exposed areas and higher elevations. These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area. Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions.

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Monday afternoon through Monday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 212, 213, 214 and 216.

* TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 11 AM this morning to 9 PM MDT this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Monday afternoon through Monday evening.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.