Despite recent snow, southeast Colorado heads into the work week facing elevated fire danger.

According to the National Weather Service office in Pueblo, all or portions of five counties are under a red flag warning from noon to 5:00 p.m. Monday.

Crowley and Otero counties, as well as large areas of Pueblo, Las Animas, and Huerfano counties, are expected to see wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour and relative humidity falling to near 10 percent as temperatures reach the upper 50s to low 60s.

Tuesday, those same counties, along with Kiowa, Bent, Prowers, and Baca counties, are under a fire weather watch, which is likely to convert to a red flag warning. The watch is currently in effect for Tuesday morning through the afternoon, with wind gusts reaching 55 mph, and relative humidity dropping to the mid-teens. Temperatures will once again reach the upper 50s to low 60s.

Some relief is expected Wednesday as highs approach the low 50s, falling into the low 20s overnight. Snow is also possible Wednesday night, becoming more likely Thursday.