Fire danger across the eastern plains of Colorado is high Friday as strong winds rush across the region.

Cheyenne and Kit Carson counties will face the worst of the winds as gust reach as high as 60 miles per hour. Elsewhere in the area, gust between 40 and 50 miles per hour will be common.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning due to the strong wind, as well as humidity that is expected to fall to as low as 12 percent. The warning will be in effect from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Temperatures across the plains are expected to be in the mid- to upper 50s, above average for this time of year. Warmer temperatures are expected to continue at least through the start of the coming week.

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.