High Fire Danger Across Colorado As Winds Pick Up

COLORADO — Fire danger remains high Tuesday in northern Colorado as high winds and dry air cause hazardous conditions, weather officials warned.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warnings and fire weather watches for much of the region, and they remain in effect through Wednesday evening.

A red flag warning is issued when there are critical fire weather conditions, and a fire weather watch means that critical conditions are predicted.

"Any fire that develops will likely spread rapidly," the agency said in an alert. "Outdoor burning should be avoided, as well as any activity that may produce a spark."

Humidity could reach as low as 15 percent, and winds are expected to gust between 30 and 40 mph, but could gust up to 65 mph, weather officials said.

A half-acre wildfire sparked early Tuesday morning northwest of Boulder, but it was contained by 5:30 a.m., Boulder County officials confirmed.