September is starting off as a hot one along the Front Range and indeed across the state of Colorado. With temperatures set to approach record highs, low humidity and windy conditions the fire danger has prompted a Red Flag Warning for Sunday.
The record high temperature for September 5th is 97 degrees and that is what Denver’s thermometer is expected to rise to today. Humidity during the heat of the day is forecast to drop below 15% and the afternoon will bring breezy conditions with winds gusting over 30 mph.
All of those factors will serve to dry out the Colorado Front Range and bring what the National Weather Service calls “extreme fire danger” to the area.
The service has issued a Red Flag Warning that will be in effect from 10:00am to 9:00pm today covering the Front Range foothills and adjacent areas including Denver and Thornton. Conditions are expected to be at their peak from 11:00am to 6:00pm.
Similarly, the Western Slope from the Continental Divide west to the Utah border is under a Red Flag warning from noon until 9:00pm.
Colorado has made it through what has been a relatively hot summer without any major wildfires. However conditions today are ripe and should a fire get started, it could spread rapidly and with devastating effects. With the Labor Day holiday weekend many people will be spending time outdoors and extreme caution should be exercised.
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