The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the fire danger in southern Colorado Tuesday.

The warning takes effect at 10:00 a.m. for Fremont, Custer, Pueblo and Huerfano counties, along with most of El Paso, western Las Animas, and smaller portions of eastern Costilla, Alamosa and Saguache counties.

Caution should be used with outdoor activities that could spark a fire as west winds gust as high as 35 miles per hour. Humidity is expected to fall below 10 percent while temperatures reach the low 70s.

A cold front moving in later in the day will help keep the eastern plains out of the greatest risk for fire.

Temperatures will drop below normal by Thursday, and light snow is forecast for the southern mountains. El Paso and Kiowa counties could see some light snow as well, while other areas remain dry under continuing drought conditions. Sunday may also produce snow across the southeast portion of the state.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Weather information updated throughout the day is available at http://KiowaCountyPress.net/weather.