Red Flag fire danger warning issued for west Garfield County, broader region

A map of the Red Flag warning area issued for Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.
National Weather Service map

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Red Flag warning effective Tuesday and Wednesday for western Garfield County and most of the northwest Colorado and northeast Utah region.

That means no open burning is permitted between noon and 8 p.m. while the warning is in effect, according to a Garfield County Emergency Communications alert sent out Tuesday morning.

A Red Flag warning is issued when the forecast calls for high temperatures, wind and low relative humidity in a given area.

The forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons calls for gusty southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph and temperatures reaching 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit along the Silt to DeBeque corridor.

“This will result in critical fire weather conditions … favorable for rapid ignition, growth and spread of fires,” according to the NWS warning. “Agricultural burning is strongly discouraged.”

via:: Post Independent