It may be February, but there’s high fire danger in southeast Colorado Saturday

PROMO 660 x 440 Fire - Danger Sign High
Published Saturday, February 27, 2021
PICT - Kiowa County Press Icon
by Chris Sorensen

With weeks to go before the start of spring, southeast Colorado remains dry. Warmer temperatures, along with expected strong winds, are bringing high fire danger to the plains.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning due to the risk Saturday. The warning will be in effect from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. for Cheyenne, Kiowa, Otero, Bent, Prowers and Baca counties. Eastern Las Animas county is also included.

2021-02-27_map_red_flag_warning_for_fire_danger_in_southeast_colorado_february_27_2021_-_nws.png

MAP Red flag warning for fire danger in southeast Colorado February 27, 2021 - NWS
Red flag warning for fire danger in southeast Colorado February 27, 2021 - NWS

As temperatures reach the low to mid-50s, humidity is predicted to fall to around 10 percent. Wind will be out of the west at 20 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 60 mph possible. With those conditions, any fires that do start could spread rapidly.

Parts of eastern Las Animas county, along with most of Huerfano County and the San Luis Valley are under a high wind warning until 4:00 p.m. Saturday.

2021-02-27_map_united_states_weather_alerts_for_february_27_2021_-_nws.png

MAP United States weather alerts for February 27, 2021 - NWS
United States weather alerts for February 27, 2021 - NWS

Concerns for fire danger stretch into must of western Kansas, northeast New Mexico, the Oklahoma panhandle, as well as portions of northwest Texas. Parts of those areas could see temperatures in the 60s and 70s, along with strong winds.

The NWS recommends avoiding any activities which could start a fire.

KiowaCountyPress.net may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase products or services through links in an article. Prices, when displayed, are accurate at the time of publication but may change over time. Commissions do not influence editorial independence.

The Kiowa County Press is an independent newspaper published in Eads, Kiowa County, Colorado, and to the world at KiowaCountyPress.net.