Southwest wildfire danger remains high through Fourth of July week
Warm, dry and breezy conditions will fuel a continued wildfire risk this week across the Southwest
People have been ordered to evacuate as several wildfires burn across Colorado.
Through the week leading up to the Fourth of July holiday, continued dry and breezy conditions will provide little relief for firefighters battling blazes across the region while also increasing the risk for new fire starts.
Multiple fires exceeding 10,000 acres have erupted over the past week, with some of the most significant burning across Utah and Colorado. The Cherry and Iron fires southwest of Provo, along with the Cottonwood Fire in south-central Utah and the Aspen Acres Fire in south-central Colorado, are among the largest active wildfires. Strong winds have at times allowed flames to spread quickly, carrying thick plumes of smoke hundreds of miles downstream.
The weather pattern responsible for the heightened wildfire danger is expected to persist through much of the week. Moisture-starved storm systems tracking inland from the Pacific Ocean into the Rockies will continue to generate gusty winds while offering little meaningful rainfall.
Instead, some thunderstorms may produce lightning with little to no precipitation, creating the potential for additional wildfire ignitions across dry vegetation.
"The combination of gusty winds, critically low humidity and dry thunderstorms will continue to elevate wildfire concerns across much of the Southwest," AccuWeather Meteorologist Kai Kerkow said. "Anyone spending time outdoors should follow local burn restrictions and use extreme caution with any activity that could spark a fire, especially with Fourth of July celebrations approaching."
Utah officials have already responded to the elevated fire danger. Gov. Spencer Cox implemented temporary statewide fireworks restrictions that are expected to remain in effect through at least July 5.
Additional local restrictions are in place in areas facing the highest wildfire risk, and residents should check with local officials before using fireworks or conducting any outdoor burning.
Beyond the immediate fire zones, wildfire smoke will continue to create widespread air quality concerns. Communities downwind of active fires could experience a smoke-filled sky and air quality ranging from poor to hazardous, particularly during the morning and evening hours when smoke settles closer to the ground.
Farther east, smoke lofted high into the atmosphere will spread across portions of the Rockies and Plains and eventually parts of the Midwest. While the thickest smoke will remain near the fires, residents in cities such as Denver and Colorado Springs can expect periods of reduced air quality and a hazy sky this week.
Additional communities across the central Plains, which include Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, may also notice colorful sunrises and sunsets as fine smoke particles filter incoming sunlight.
AccuWeather long-range experts have highlighted the Southwest as one of the nation's primary wildfire concern areas through the first half of summer. Until the North American monsoon becomes firmly established and begins delivering more widespread rainfall, dry vegetation and recurring bouts of wind will continue to support an elevated wildfire threat.
As the monsoon strengthens later this summer, wildfire activity is expected to gradually shift north and west into the Northwest and parts of California, where seasonal drying and periods of hot, windy weather will increase the potential for significant wildfire activity heading into late summer and early fall.
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