Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

061 
WWUS85 KBOU 150943
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
243 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026


COZ238-242>246-248-249-160100-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0003.260115T1700Z-260116T0100Z/
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.A.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Northeast Weld County-Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-Logan County-Washington County-
243 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO
6 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE 
NORTHERN I-25 CORRIDOR AND MOST OF THE EASTERN PLAINS... 

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING 
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR 
THE NORTHERN I-25 CORRIDOR AND THE EASTERN PLAINS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 238, 242, 243, 244, 245, 
  246, 248 and 249.

* TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 10 AM this morning to 
  6 PM MST this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Friday 
  morning through Friday afternoon.

* WINDS...Thursday, northwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts of 
  35 to 50 mph. For Friday Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up 
  to 65 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...13 to 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

COZ250-251-160100-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.A.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
243 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
THE EASTERN PLAINS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 250 and 251.

* TIMING...From Friday morning through Friday afternoon.

* WINDS...Northwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

COZ215-160100-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.A.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
243 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
THE NORTHERN FOOTHILLS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 215.

* TIMING...From Friday morning through Friday afternoon.

* WINDS...Northwest 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

038 
WWUS85 KBOU 151701
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1001 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

COZ238-242>246-248-249-160100-
/O.UPG.KBOU.FW.A.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
/O.NEW.KBOU.FW.W.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260116T0100Z/
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Northeast Weld County-Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-Logan County-Washington County-
1001 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHERN I-25 CORRIDOR
AND MOST OF THE EASTERN PLAINS...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM MST FRIDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHERN I-25 CORRIDOR AND
THE EASTERN PLAINS...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 9 AM to 6 PM MST Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer
in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 238, 242, 243, 244, 245, 
  246, 248 and 249.

* TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 6 PM MST this 
  evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from 9 AM to 6 PM 
  MST Friday.

* WINDS...For today, northwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts of 
  35 to 50 mph. For Friday Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to
  65 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10 to 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

COZ240-160100-
/O.NEW.KBOU.FW.W.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
/O.EXA.KBOU.FW.W.0003.260115T1700Z-260116T0100Z/
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
1001 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR DENVER METRO AREA...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM MST FRIDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR DENVER METRO AREA...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
until 6 PM MST this evening. A Red Flag Warning has also been
issued from 9 AM to 6 PM MST Friday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 240.

* TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 6 PM MST this 
  evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from 9 AM to 6 PM 
  MST Friday.

* WINDS...Today, northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 35 to
  45 mph. For Friday, Northwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 
  mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10 to 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

COZ250-251-160100-
/O.UPG.KBOU.FW.A.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
/O.NEW.KBOU.FW.W.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
1001 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM MST FRIDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FAR NORTHEAST PLAINS...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 9 AM to 6 PM MST Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer
in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 250 and 251.

* TIMING...From 9 AM to 6 PM MST Friday.

* WINDS...Northwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

COZ215-160100-
/O.UPG.KBOU.FW.A.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
/O.NEW.KBOU.FW.W.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
1001 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM MST FRIDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHERN FOOTHILLS...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 9 AM to 6 PM MST Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer
in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 215.

* TIMING...From 9 AM to 6 PM MST Friday.

* WINDS...Northwest 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 16 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

COZ239-160100-
/O.EXA.KBOU.FW.W.0003.260115T1700Z-260116T0100Z/
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
1001 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR EASTERN BOULDER AND NORTHEAST
JEFFERSON COUNTIES...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
until 6 PM MST this evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 239.

* TIMING...Until 6 PM MST this evening.

* WINDS...Thursday, northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 35
  to 45 mph. 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10 to 18 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

194 
WWUS85 KBOU 160112
RFWBOU

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
612 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

COZ238-240-242>246-248-249-161315-
/O.EXP.KBOU.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260116T0100Z/
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-Northeast Weld County-
Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-Logan County-Washington County-
612 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM MST
FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHERN
I-25 CORRIDOR AND MOST OF THE EASTERN PLAINS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 238, 240, 242, 243, 244, 
  245, 246, 248 and 249.

* TIMING...From 9 AM to 6 PM MST Friday.

* WINDS...Northwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 13 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

COZ239-160215-
/O.EXP.KBOU.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260116T0100Z/
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
612 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR EASTERN BOULDER AND NORTHEAST JEFFERSON COUNTIES...

Winds have diminished and relative humidity has improved over the
last couple of hours. Therefore, the Red Flag Warning has been
allowed to expire.

$$

COZ250-251-161315-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
612 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM MST
FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE FAR NORTHEAST
PLAINS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 250 and 251.

* TIMING...From 9 AM to 6 PM MST Friday.

* WINDS...Northwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

COZ215-161315-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0004.260116T1600Z-260117T0100Z/
Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
612 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM MST
FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHERN
FOOTHILLS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 215.

* TIMING...From 9 AM to 6 PM MST Friday.

* WINDS...Northwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. 
  Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a 
  spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1118 AM MST Wed Jan 14 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Light rain/snow showers to diminish through the morning.

- Elevated fire weather conditions possible (50% chance) across
  the plains Thursday and Friday.

- A cold front will bring windy conditions and colder temperatures
  to the area on Friday, with some areas reaching High Wind
  Criteria over the northeast plains.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 436 AM MST Wed Jan 14 2026

The forecast has remained largely on track through the overnight
hours. Current radar scans show a band of light precipitation
stretching from southern Weld County south into Lincoln County
early this morning. Areas just east of DIA may see a quick few
hundredths early this morning within a band of convection reading
around 40-50 dBZ on KFTG. Showers will diminish through the
morning giving way to mild temperatures once again, though cooler
than yesterday's highs behind last night's cold front.

The main update for the overnight was the issuance of a Fire
Weather Watch for Thursday along the northern I-25 corridor and
adjacent plains, as RH values are expected to drop into the mid
teens coinciding with wind gusts between 25-45 mph, which will
lead to elevated to critical fire weather conditions from late
morning through the afternoon. Additionally, with increasing winds
expected on Friday, a High Wind Watch is now in effect from late
Thursday night through Friday afternoon for the northeastern
plains, where 35-45 mph winds and gusts up to 65 mph are forecast.
While winds won't be at High Wind Criteria outside of the
northeast plains, they will still be gusty enough to have elevated
to critical fire weather concerns across the majority of the
lower elevations, as RH values are forecast to drop into the mid
teens through the afternoon. Check back for further updates and
potential upgrades later today.

UPDATE Issued at 846 PM MST Tue Jan 13 2026

A cold front is making its way south-southwestward across the
plains this evening. Temperatures are not much cooler behind the
front but dew point readings are about 10-15 F higher in its
wake. The winds behind it are north-northeasterly with gusts up into
the 20-30 mph range. Area radars and surface observations are
showing some light rain showers and virga pushing south-
southeastward over the northeast corner of Colorado. I will make
some minor grid adjustments to winds, sky, pops and temperatures
based on reality as well the latest high resolution models.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Tuesday/...
Issued at 205 PM MST Tue Jan 13 2026

The north-northwest flow aloft will persist through tonight
around an upper level high centered over northern California and
southern Oregon. Moisture aloft is being funneled around the high
and then traveling southward across Colorado. This will continue
to result in mostly cloudy skies through tonight. There is a weak
shortwave trough embedded in the north-northwest flow aloft and a
weak cold front that will drop south across eastern Colorado
tonight. A brief gusty wind shift to the northeast will be
possible when the front moves through. Clouds will also increase
with a few weak rain/snow showers. Precipitation amounts are
expected to be light and less than a tenth inch. The clouds linger
into the morning hours while precipitation is expected to have
wrapped up. Temperatures will be cooler Wednesday, but remain
above normal with highs in the 50s across northeast Colorado.

North-northwest flow aloft continues Thursday and Friday,
strengthening Friday with the passage of a shortwave trough. Winds
increase over the eastern plains, especially Friday behind the
cold front. Winds could approach high wind criteria over the far
northeast plains late Thursday night and Friday. Other concern
will be elevated/critical fire weather conditions associated with
the windy conditions. Temperatures rebound some on Thursday ahead
of the cold front with high temperatures reaching the upper 50s to
lower 60s across northeast Colorado. On Friday, temperatures fall
to near normal with highs in the 40s. The airmass remains dry
with no chance for precipitation Thursday and Friday.

The north to northwest flow aloft will continue through the weekend
and into early next week. Models show two shortwave troughs and cold
fronts grazing eastern Colorado. One on Saturday and the second one
Monday or Tuesday. The pattern still looks dry with ridging to the
west cutting off Pacific moisture. Temperatures will be challenging
to forecast. Arctic air will be just east of the area, and a slight
model adjustment westward would bring colder air to into eastern
Colorado at times behind the cold fronts. The warm days (Sunday and
maybe Tuesday) highs are expected to reach the 50s over northeast
Colorado. Highs on the cooler/colder days may only reach the 40s and
possibly only 30s over the plains.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday/...
Issued at 1101 AM MST Wed Jan 14 2026

VFR conditions expected through the TAF period. Light winds will
slowly turn to northerly by 19Z and will strengthen around 20Z to
10-12 knots. There is still a low chance (20%) that northerly
winds never develop at DEN and APA.

Tonight, winds will weaken in the evening and then drainage will
develop and last throughout the night. Winds in the morning on
Thursday will turn more westerly and will be light at DEN and APA.
There is a high chance (90%) that gusty northwesterly winds will
develop shortly after midday. Gusts will be between 25-30 knots.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Fire Weather Watch from Thursday morning through Thursday
afternoon for COZ238-242>245.

High Wind Watch from late Thursday night through Friday
afternoon for COZ042-048>051.

&&

UPDATE...9
DISCUSSION...12
AVIATION...Danielson

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1103 AM MST Wed Jan 14 2026

COZ030>051-151815-
Jackson County Below 9000 Feet-
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-
Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet-
South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/
Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet-
South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/
Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above
9000 Feet-Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Central and Southeast Park County-
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Northeast Weld County-Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Logan County-Washington County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
1103 AM MST Wed Jan 14 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central
Colorado.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

No hazardous weather is expected.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Gusty north to northwest winds will be possible over the northeast
plains Thursday. Due to dry conditions and low relative humidity,
fire weather conditions will be elevated to critical. Stronger
winds are expected for Friday across the northeast plains where
gusts to 65 mph will be possible. This will also lead to elevated
to critical fire weather conditions.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.