Fire Risk for the High Plains

Strong winds and low humidity will increase the fire risk across the southern and central Plains today.

Critical fire weather conditions are expected across the Colorado Rockies and adjacent High Plains, driven by strong winds and very low humidity. The WindRadar shows strong downslope winds along the Front Range, while southwesterly winds spread across the Plains. At the same time, humidity will drop to 10–15%, with some areas falling into the single digits, increasing the risk of fire.

The most significant fire-risk areas include cities such as Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo., and Cheyenne, Wyo. Other cities such as Tucson, Ariz., Albuquerque, N.M., and Grand Junction, Colo., are also at risk of quickly-spreading fires.

Although increasing cloud cover later in the day may slightly reduce the threat, conditions will remain dangerous. Much of the Southwest, including the Four Corners region and western Colorado, will also face a higher risk of fire. In these areas, westerly winds of 15-20 mph combined with humidity below 20% and above-normal fuel dryness will continue to support an active fire environment.

The WeatherRadar also shows dry conditions across the Southeast, with breezy westerly winds. Low air quality will linger as wildfire smoke from numerous wildfires across northern Florida and south Georgia.