Bushfires in northeast Colorado

WIGGINS, Colorado – A wildfire raged west of Wiggins Thursday afternoon.

Interstate 76 was closed in both directions west of Wiggins near the Weld County-Morgan County border for a while. The interstate reopened around 4:15 p.m.

The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control said the fire had spread to about 400 acres by 3 p.m. and air support had been requested.

In Colorado, wildfire danger increased Thursday on a hot, dry day with gusty winds and low relative humidity.

Combined with gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour in parts of the Front Range – especially south and east of Denver – and a very dry air mass, a fire that starts Thursday could spread quickly.

Avoid anything that creates sparks outdoors and have an emergency kit ready in case of a fire near your home.

In addition to the high fire danger, Colorado will also have wildfire smoke in the air Thursday afternoon due to the fires in California. This will make our skies hazy Thursday afternoon and evening.

Red Flag Warnings will be in effect in many areas of Colorado from noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday.