Red Flag Warning in effect through Friday evening

SIDNEY, Neb. — Critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist through Friday evening across the Nebraska Panhandle and portions of southeast Wyoming, with additional elevated fire danger possible this weekend.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne said a Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 11 a.m. Thursday through 6 p.m. MST Friday for fire weather zones that include the southern Nebraska Panhandle, Scottsbluff National Monument, the Lodgepole Creek area and the Lower North Platte River Basin.

Forecasters expect west to northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph Thursday. Stronger winds are anticipated Friday, with gusts over 50 mph possible. Relative humidity values are forecast to range between 15% and 20% Thursday and drop to 10% to 15% Friday. Poor overnight humidity recovery is expected Thursday night.

The most critical fire weather conditions are forecast along the Interstate 80 corridor east of the Laramie Range into the southern Nebraska Panhandle, where the driest conditions and strongest winds are expected.

“Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly,” the weather service said. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Looking ahead, another round of elevated to critical fire weather conditions is possible Saturday afternoon.

In northeast Colorado, the National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Friday afternoon for areas along and north of Interstate 70, including Logan, Morgan, Washington, Sedgwick and Phillips counties. West winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph and relative humidity as low as 11% are expected.

Widespread precipitation chances are forecast to return early next week, though daily probabilities remain between 30% and 50%, according to the weather service.

Officials urge residents to avoid outdoor burning and activities that could produce sparks during periods of critical fire weather.