Red Flag Warning Issued for Upper Arkansas River Valley and Lake and Chaffee Counties
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Upper Arkansas River Valley due to expected high winds and low humidity on Friday.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Upper Arkansas River Valley. This alert was issued by NWS Pueblo CO and indicates that critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically covers Fire Weather Zone 220, which includes:
- Upper Arkansas River Valley
- Lake County
- Chaffee County
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas are advised that outdoor burning is not recommended. A Red Flag Warning signifies that any fire that develops could catch and spread quickly. Residents should prepare for critical fire weather conditions and exercise extreme caution with any potential ignition sources.
Expected Conditions
Weather conditions are expected to reach critical thresholds for fire behavior:
- Winds: West winds between 20 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph.
- Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 18 percent.
- Hazards: A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures may contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM MDT on Friday, March 13. This replaces the previously issued Fire Weather Watch for the region.
Source: NOAA Official Notice
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