National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heavy Rains from the Plains to the East; Fire Weather Risk in the Desert Southwest

Thunderstorms, some severe, may produce heavy to excessive rainfall and isolated flooding over portions of the Southern Plains through Saturday. Widespread showers and thunderstorms will spread east into the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Mid Atlantic and Northeast. Dry conditions, combined with gusty winds will continue to support an elevated fire weather threat in the Desert Southwest. Read More >

Overview

A strong cold front brought very windy conditions to eastern Utah and western Colorado on Monday, June 12th, 2017. Winds gusted 60 to 70 mph in some valleys of NE Utah and NW Colorado just ahead of the frontal passage, and up to 90 mph in some mountain locations in eastern Utah and western Colorado. One new wildfire began during this time period, and two wildfires spread rapidly in the high winds Monday, including one near Blue Mountain (Dead Dog Wildfire), CO and one in Grand Junction, CO.

Widespread tree damage and some power outages were reported across western Colorado due to high winds on Monday. Road closures occurred on Highway 133 near Paonia Reservoir due to trees across road and on Colorado Highway 40 near Dinosaur, CO due to the Dead Dog Wildfire rapidly spreading toward the highway. The Dead Dog Wildfire expanded from 40 acres to over 5000 acres by Monday evening, and to over 17,000 acres by Tuesday afternoon! This rapidly growing fire created evacuations in Blue Mountain, CO on Monday. The wildfire in Grand Junction destroyed a home, two sheds, and a recreational vehicle. Some residents in Grand Junction were evacuated Monday afternoon due to the fire. 

Image
Photo courtesy KKCO-TV
Image Image Image
Wildfire engulfed home in Grand Junction
Photo courtesy Grand Junction Sentinel
Fallen tree on house due to high winds in Grand Junction
Photo courtesy Steve Barletta
Fallen tree near Lizard Head Pass
Photo courtesy Randee Bergen
Image Image Image
Fence damage in Grand Junction
Photo courtesy Chris Root
Dead Dog Fire near Blue Mountain/Dinosaur, CO
Photo courtesy KKCO-TV
Fallen tree on house in Loma, CO
Photo courtesy KKCO-TV

 

  Image  
  Mature tree snapped on F 1/2 Rd
Photo courtesy Bernadine Sherman
 
nws logo Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.
nws logo