National Weather Service
Fire Weather Watch
URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
244 PM MDT Thu Apr 24 2025
Lower Colorado River-Colorado River Headwaters-
244 PM MDT Thu Apr 24 2025
…RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT FRIDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 203 AND 205 BELOW 7000 FEET…FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 203 AND 205 BELOW 7000 FEET…
…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 203 AND 205 BELOW 7000 FEET…
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Fire Weather Watch for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels, which is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect from noon to 8 PM Friday and a Fire Weather Watch remains in effect Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening.
* AFFECTED AREA…In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 203 Lower Colorado River and Fire Weather Zone 205 Colorado River Headwaters below 7000 feet.
* TIMING…For the Red Flag Warning, from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday. For the first Fire Weather Watch, from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening. For the second Fire Weather Watch, from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening.
* WINDS…For Friday and Saturday, south 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 40 mph. For Sunday south 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…8 to 13 percent.
* IMPACTS…Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.
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.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
248 AM MDT Thu Apr 24 2025
Lower Yampa River Basin-Central Yampa River Basin-
Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus-Elkhead and Park Mountains-
Upper Yampa River Basin-Grand Valley-Debeque to Silt Corridor-
Central Colorado River Basin-Grand and Battlement Mesas-
Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys-
Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin-
West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-Flat Tops-Upper Gunnison River Valley-
Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide-Northwest San Juan Mountains-
Southwest San Juan Mountains-Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River-
Four Corners/Upper Dolores River-Animas River Basin-
San Juan River Basin-Southeast Utah-Eastern Uinta Mountains-
Eastern Uinta Basin-Tavaputs Plateau-Arches/Grand Flat-
La Sal and Abajo Mountains-Canyonlands/Natural Bridges-
248 AM MDT Thu Apr 24 2025
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Colorado, southwest Colorado, west central Colorado, east central Utah, northeast Utah and southeast Utah.
.DAY ONE…Today and tonight.
A weak disturbance will cause scattered showers and a few thunderstorms to fire this afternoon. Northeast Utah and Northwest Colorado will have the best chances to see this convection. Gusty outflow winds will be the main concern.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Friday through Wednesday.
Gusty surface winds of 25 to 35 mph, if not higher at times, are expected each afternoon from Friday through the weekend. Low afternoon relative humidities and dry fuels will allow critical fire weather conditions to occur Friday afternoon. Red Flag Warnings have been issued for those fire zones where these conditions will be met.
Similar conditions are possible Saturday. Fire Weather Watches have been issued to account for this possibility.
SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…
Spotter activation is not expected today or tonight, however spotters are encouraged to report excessive wind or any observed wind related damage to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.