ST. GEORGE – The National Weather Service has issued a “Red Flag Warning,” now in effect through 10 p.m. Friday for wind and low relative humidity for the Colorado River Basin – Grand Staircase areas of Washington and Kane Counties.

Dots denote area subject to Red Flag Alert, Fire Weather Zones 490 and 498, Colorado Basin and Grand Staircase, Southern Utah, Radar time 5:25 a.m., June 20, 2013 | Image courtesy of National Weather Service

Affected area: Fire Weather Zones 490 and 498 Colorado River Basin and Grand Staircase (see map insert).

Winds: Southwest 15-25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, developing Thursday and Friday afternoons.

Relative Humidity: Poor overnight recoveries, then dropping as low as 4 percent in the afternoons.

Impacts: The combination of strong winds and low relative humidity will create hazardous fire weather conditions where fuels are critically dry.

Precautionary / preparedness actions: A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

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