Upcoming dry and windy weather in the metro area has raised wildfire concerns, and a widespread red flag warning has been posted to include Denver and parts of the Front Range.

Red flag warnings for fire safety concerns are posted for Thursday and Friday, including Boulder, Denver, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs and Limon, according to the National Weather Service.

The metro area is expected to experience southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph on Thursday and Friday with gusts up to 55 mph, according to the red flag warning. Relative humidity will be as low as 10% Thursday with a 15% reading on Friday.

“Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread,” the warning said. “Avoid outdoor burning and any activities that may produce sparks.

Thursday’s warning runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday’s warning from noon until 7 p.m., the weather service said.

In Denver, mostly sunny skies and winds out of the southwest, will drive Thursday’s high temperature to around 67 degrees. Thursday night, there’s a chance of rain showers before 9 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers between 9 and 11 p.m., the weather service said. The overnight low temperature will be near 32 degrees, winds will gust to about 34 mph and the chance for precipitation is 40%, little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Friday in Denver skies will be sunny, but cooler, with a high temperature near 56 degrees, the weather service said. Winds are expected to gust to 44 mph.

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