Red Flag Warnings issued for Four Corners region

Red Flag Warnings are in effect across six western states for dangerous fire weather conditions today, with some areas remaining under the warnings through Sunday. The greatest risk is centered on the Four Corners region, where eastern Utah, western Colorado, northeast Arizona and northwest New Mexico face a level 3 of 3 threat.

Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph and relative humidity values in the single digits are forecast for the extreme risk area.

Current wildfires The Cottonwood Fire, the largest wildfire in Utah, has burned more than 71,000 acres and remains 0% contained. The Iron Fire has burned more than 40,000 acres and is 38% contained, while the Cherry Fire, formed by the merger of the Maple Peak Fire and the original Cherry Fire, has burned an estimated 20,000 acres and is 0% contained.

Hot, extremely dry and windy conditions are expected to promote extreme fire behavior, with existing fires potentially growing rapidly and new fires igniting.

Additional weather threats Flood Watches are in place from southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas to northern West Virginia and southern Ohio for potential heavy rain through Sunday. Rounds of heavy rain are moving through southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma on Saturday morning, with areas under Flood Watch until later in the day.

A level 2 of 5 threat for severe storms is forecast for North Carolina later Saturday into the evening, while a level 3 of 5 enhanced risk covers parts of west-central North Dakota, eastern Montana and northwest South Dakota.

Temperature outlook Extreme heat is expected to build across the southern Plains on Saturday and expand across the central United States by Sunday. Widespread highs in the 90s are forecast across the Midwest by Monday, with heat index values potentially reaching triple digits in many areas.