Are Conditions Favorable for a Wildfire?
Red Flag Warnings
Wildfire can happen during any month of the year, in any corner of the county when conditions are right. The National Weather Service will issue a Red Flag warning when there’s an increased risk of fire danger because of the following conditions:
Warm
Temperatures
Low
Humidity
High
Winds
Catastrophic fire is most likely to occur when these conditions converge.
What to Avoid
If Boulder County is under a Red Flag or High Wind warning, or under Stage 1 or Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, the following activities should be avoided:
- Campfires
- Fireworks
- Charcoal grills should not be left unattended until coals are cold (or better yet, don’t use them)
- Tossing flaming or lit materials including cigarettes or ashes onto the ground.
- Use of machinery that could cause sparks outdoors including items like lawn mowers, welding equipment, or heavy equipment
- Cars and motorcycles should not be parked on tall or dry grass
Think you see smoke?
If it’s not a Red Flag day, smoke could be from prescribed fire in the county or from wildfire elsewhere in the state or beyond. Start by googling “Why do I smell smoke in Boulder”.