BOULDER, Colo. — Critical fire weather has forced the National Weather Service (NWS) in Boulder to issue Red Flag Warnings on Sunday.
The warnings stretch the entire Front Range corridor from the Wyoming state line to the New Mexico state line. Parts of the southeastern plains are also included in the Red Flag Warnings.
Strong, whipping winds and very low humidities are forecasted for Sunday. The Red Flag Warnings will be in effect from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fires began popping up around Colorado, beginning Friday afternoon in Douglas County. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said a 150-acre quickly spread from gusty, erratic winds and prompted pre-evacuation alerts be sent to nearby homeowners.
South Metro Fire Rescue was one of eight responding agencies.
"At South Metro, Red Flag Warning means we triple the amount of firefighters and apparatus that respond to even a report of a small wildland fire," South Metro Fire's Eric Hurst said.
Hurst expected Red Flag Warnings to potentially continue into early next week.
"Anytime it’s been days or weeks until fresh rain or snow has fallen, especially on grasses, they’re at risk for burning," Hurst said.
NWS forecasters say winds could have gusts up to 60 mph over the mountains and eastern slopes. Gusts could get up to 50 mph in the foothills, and could be in the 30-40 mph range over the plains, according to the NWS.
For the Denver metro area and around the Palmer Divide, high temperatures are forecasted to be near 67, westerly winds will be sustained in the 15-25 mph range with gusts up to 40 mph. Relative humidity could get as low as 10%.
LATEST FORECAST: Very high fire danger for eastern Colorado Sunday
Saturday afternoon, Denver Fire responded to a small, grass fire near Sheridan Blvd. and 10th Ave. The fire charred approximately two acres. Crews stayed on scene after flames were put out to make sure the fire didn't reignite near homes.
Around the same time Saturday, a fire in Weld County broke out and burned 15 acres. Brighton Fire told 9NEWS there were no reported injuries and structures weren't threatened by flames.
Saturday night, Boulder Fire-Rescue were called to a 1/4-acre fire on the second flatiron. The department said 17 Boulder Fire-Rescue responders were deployed with assistance from 10 additional Boulder County responders.
Fire officials want people to not have any open burns and to stay away from any activity that could spark a wildfire.
"It’s just a good reminder that we have to be cautious, and using anything that can cause sparks, has an open flame or any kind of heat source outside, we just want to limit those activities and put those off until it’s a less active day," Hurst said.
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