Dangerous fire conditions, soaring temperatures and smoky skies across Colorado prompted severe weather alerts for parts of the Western Slope, Front Range and Eastern Plains on Wednesday.
Temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees in Denver, Boulder, the western metro and Fort Collins, National Weather Service forecasters said in a heat advisory.
The heat index in El Paso, Pueblo, Fremont, Crowley, Otero, Bent and Prowers counties is expected to range from 94 to 100 degrees, according to the agency. The heat index, or “apparent temperature,” is how hot it feels outside when considering both humidity and temperature.
People can prevent heat-related illnesses by drinking plenty of fluids, staying in an air-conditioned room, staying out of the sun and checking on relatives and neighbors to make sure they are doing the same.
Gusty winds, low humidity, dry fuels and high temperatures are all contributing to critical fire danger across the Western Slope, weather officials said in a red flag warning. Firefighters are battling active wildfires in Rio Blanco, Delta and Dolores counties.
The warning is active from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for parts of Moffat, Routt, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose and San Miguel counties, where relative humidity is as low as 8% and wind gusts could reach 35 mph.
A second red flag warning is active for parts of Boulder, Larimer, Grand, Jackson and Summit counties because of gusty winds and low humidity, forecasters said. Critical fire weather conditions will likely continue through Friday.
“Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread,” officials said in the alert. “Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.”
Smoke from the Elk and Lee fires in Rio Blanco County is causing poor air quality throughout the state, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
An air quality health advisory is active for most of the Front Range and Western Slope until Thursday morning, and periods of “moderate to heavy smoke” are possible.
Impacted counties include Denver, Jefferson, Douglas, Arapahoe, Adams, Broomfield, Boulder, Larimer, Weld, Clear Creek, Grand, Eagle, Jackson, Gilpin, Garfield, Rio Blanco, Routt and Dolores counties.
If visibility is less than 5 miles, smoke is at unhealthy levels and people should remain inside, especially those with health conditions like heart disease or respiratory illnesses.
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