By Trinity Ortega

A red flag warning has been issued in Boulder this week. Driven by dry air and high winds, residents are warned to be vigilant for prime conditions for fires.

Denver meteorologist Jaden Knowles of 9News says dry brush, low humidity, warm temperatures and windy conditions have triggered the red flag warnings.

“A lot of times you’ll see that red flag wants to come in with low humidity values, temperatures, maybe in the upper 60s, low 70s, but the number one thing is the winds,” he said.

Restrictions come into play during a red flag warning including bans on  fires or recreational campfires, using and selling fireworks and smoking in certain areas. Red flag warnings were issued through the National Weather Service and local media to make sure Boulder residents are aware, according to a CU Boulder meteorology and climate professor, John Cassano.

“For many people, these warnings have very little impact,” Cassano said, noting that daily routines often remain unchanged unless residents closely follow weather updates.

Cassano warns that wildfire risk during red flag conditions extends beyond campfires or outdoor burning to everyday activities that can generate sparks. Dragging metal chains from towed vehicles, roadside vehicle malfunctions, and even crashed drones with lithium-ion batteries have been known to ignite fires in similar conditions. Under extreme conditions, he says, a small spark can escalate rapidly.

The threat isn’t just ecological, local shop owners have suffered from recent power shutoffs. During recent red flag warnings, several Boulder businesses were forced to close. Workers were affected too, Knowles explains.

“I mean, it’s a big stress, just because, one, if you have your power outage, a lot of the time, visitors and customers won’t visit just because they see the power out,” he said. “And now you’re losing more money. Also, that hurts your business in the long run, for the month, not being your quota, and things of that nature.”

Alex Mendez works at Three Margaritas Family Restaurant near Boulder. He lost more than a day of lost hours and tips that he needed to support his family.

“Sometimes the alerts are hard to understand, especially if you don’t speak English, because not everyone checks the weather or understands what a red flag warning is,” he said.

Red flag warnings may cause some alarm. Residents may remember the kind of fire outbreaks the Boulder area has seen in recent years, like the Dec. 2021 Marshall Fire that destroyed more than 1,200 homes.

“I think we are already at the point where most people should be thinking about fire risk and how that impacts where they live, recreate, and make long-term decisions,” Cassano said.