The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of western Park County for the rest of the week due to high temperatures and strong winds. 

That’s led to the Park County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Land Management to issue warnings to area residents about the hazard.

The sheriff’s office says “critical fire weather conditions” are expected from Wednesday through Saturday.

“Please avoid burning during this time,” the office said in an alert.

Record high temperatures nearly 20 to 30 degrees above normal are expected through Saturday, according to the NWS in Riverton. Thursday could be the earliest 80 degree day on record for several locations.

While winds are not expected to be as strong through the rest of the week, NWS predicts gusts of 25 to 35 mph will be common. Further, despite cooler overnight temperatures, vegetation across much of the district remains dormant, with live fuel moisture at seasonal lows, the BLM noted. Areas without snow cover are particularly susceptible to ignition and rapid fire spread.

“Even though it may not feel like peak fire season yet, the current conditions create a real potential for wildfires to start and spread quickly,” Mark Randall, the fire management officer for the BLM’s High Desert District, said in a release. “A single spark in the wrong place can have significant impacts.”

Weather forecasts for the coming week indicate a combination of strong winds, above-average temperatures, and low relative humidity are all conditions that can contribute to fast-moving wildfires.

A cold front is expected to move through the area Saturday. Fire weather conditions will be elevated Sunday and Monday, with temperatures remaining above normal.

Be aware of current fire restrictions and elevated fire conditions before heading out. Fire restriction information is available at blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/wyoming/fire. 

The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any wildfires immediately to local authorities.

— From staff reports