Red Flag Warning Issued for Boulder County

Potential for dangerous fire weather conditions prompts alert

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Boulder County, Colorado, on Tuesday due to forecasted low relative humidity and high winds that could fan any wildfires that start. Open burning and agricultural burning are prohibited under Stage 1 burn restrictions across the county.

Why it matters

Wildfires are a major threat in the Boulder area, especially during dry and windy conditions. This red flag warning indicates an elevated risk of rapid fire spread and uncontrollable blazes that could threaten homes and businesses if ignitions occur.

The details

The red flag warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday for elevations below 9,000 feet. Winds are expected to persist between 10 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching 45 mph for elevations lower than 6,000 feet. Relative humidity will reach as low as 10%. For elevations between 6,000 and 9,000 feet, winds are expected to persist between 30 and 40 mph with gusts up to 80 mph, and relative humidity will reach as low as 18%.

  • The red flag warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2026.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency that monitors and forecasts weather conditions, including issuing red flag warnings for elevated fire risk.

Boulder County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that has implemented Stage 1 burn restrictions across the county in response to the fire weather conditions.

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The takeaway

This red flag warning highlights the ongoing threat of wildfires in the Boulder area and the need for residents to be vigilant about fire safety, avoid open burning, and heed any emergency instructions from local authorities during periods of extreme fire weather.