The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for parts of Colorado, including the Summit County area, as low relative humidity and high winds are expected to create conditions favorable to fire this weekend.

The fire weather watch will remain in effect from Saturday morning, Oct. 5, through the evening, according to the National Weather Service. The weather Saturday is forecast to be breezy and dry over north central Colorado with gusts of wind up to 30 mph expected in parts of the state.

The Weather Service forecast projects that these gusty west to northwest winds will spread across much of north central and northwest Colorado on Saturday amid warm — possibly record breaking — temperatures. The relative humidity could drop as low as 9% in parts of the state.

These conditions are favorable for the spread of rapid fire so outdoor burning and other activities that may produce a spark should be avoided, according to the Weather Service.

Summit County officials this week upped the fire danger to “very high,” citing drying grasses, the dryness of dead timber and an extended forecast of warm, dry conditions. Summit County’s fire protection districts, Summit Fire & EMS and Red, White & Blue, along with the Dillon Ranger District and the Summit Board of County Commissioners, will reportedly be evaluating the need for possible fire restrictions later this week and into next week.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, research shows that changes in climate driven by the burning of fossil fuels is creating warmer, drier conditions, leading to longer and more active fire seasons