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First red-flag warning issued

No burning between noon and 6 p.m. Wednesday
A fire in April 2014 in a mobile home park near Elmore’s Corner spread with the help of strong winds, according to fire officials. Strong winds are going to kick up with the onset of spring. A red-flag warning is out Wednesday in the Durango area.

After a dry, warm winter, it was bound to come: higher fire danger.

On Tuesday, the Grand Junction office of the National Weather Service issued the first red-flag warning of 2015 for the Durango area. It will be in effect from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, but a fire weather watch will begin an hour earlier at 11 a.m.

Specific conditions have to exist for the official warning.

“A red-flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly,” the weather service said in the warning. “A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.”

Winds in La Plata County on Wednesday are forecast at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. Humidity is predicted at 9 to 14 percent, with temperatures in the high 60s.

Gusty winds are forecast through Thursday.

abutler@durangoherald.com



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