High fire danger across eastern Colorado Monday is expected to return Tuesday as winds are predicted to gust as high as 60 miles per hour.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch from Logan to Kiowa counties across northeast and east central Colorado from late Monday night through Tuesday afternoon for northwest winds in the 30 to 40 mph range, with gusts to 60 mph possible, as a cold front drops across the region. Drivers of light and high-profile vehicle will find travel difficult.

The watch also stretches across southern and western Wyoming, along with most of western Kansas.

While temperatures Tuesday are expected to be as much as 20 degrees cooler than Monday, with highs in the 50s and 60 expected, fire risk will remain elevated. Most of southeast Colorado, along with the San Luis Valley, will be under a fire weather watch from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. In addition to strong winds, relative humidity will drop as low as five percent.

All outdoor burning – and any activity that could spark a fire – should be avoided Monday and Tuesday throughout the drought-stricken area. Be prepared for evacuations if fires do start.