What Red Flag Warning Means and How It Affects Colorado
As of 11:46 a.m. on April 28, much of Northern Colorado was put under a Red Flag Warning until 8 p.m. of the same day.
However, while a Red Flag Warning sounds scary, but there's no need to panic. It's just more of a reason to be aware of how much water you're drinking... Why? And what is a Red Flag Warning?
According to Google, a Red Flag Warning simply means that there will be extremely low relative humidity and gusty winds, which creates a high risk of fires. This lets local governments and landowners know that they need to be especially alert for new ignitions or burns that are already in progress. This is especially important for areas in our state that didn't get a lot of snowmelt, as they're more at-risk for wildfires.
The highest fire danger will occur in areas that have not seen sufficient green-up this spring. Any fire that starts or escapes, would be capable of rapid growth. Residents should be aware of the elevated fire danger today and avoid activities that could produce open flames.
On days with Red Flag Warnings in effect, do not burn anything outdoors, as a rapid spread is possible if a fire escapes its pit.
As for the water... Drink up, dehydration is never fun to deal with, especially when an entire area is going to be drier and more blustery than usual. As residents of a relatively dry state to begin with, we know the importance of staying hydrated. This is especially true as our low humidity levels can cause bloody noses, dry skin, sinus problems and respiratory issues according to HVAC, a site that coordinates ventilation and air conditioning coordinators.
Source: National Weather Service
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