FORECAST: Fire danger remains

It’s been a windy weekend across Arizona, and those gusty conditions have helped fuel several wildfires statewide. While winds will ease slightly heading into the new week, fire danger will remain elevated. Red Flag Warnings have been extended through Monday for eastern Coconino County and much of Navajo and Apache counties, where wind gusts could exceed 50 mph. There’s a good chance those warnings get extended into Tuesday, as a Fire Weather Watch is already in place for the same areas.

Fire danger remains elevated to start the week

By: Jorge Torres

PHOENIX — High fire danger sticks with us this week across parts of Arizona.

Red Flag Warnings are now extended through Monday for eastern Coconino along with much of Navajo and Apache counties. Wind gusts there could top 40 mph.

There's a good chance those warnings stretch into Tuesday. A Fire Weather Watch is already up for those same areas.

With fire risk this high, please hold off on any outdoor burning. Don't toss cigarettes from your vehicle, and double-check that nothing is dragging from your car that could throw sparks.

So what's driving all this wind?

An area of low pressure is digging into the western U.S. That system hangs around through midweek before it lifts out, letting a ridge of high pressure build in from the south later this week.

Until then, temperatures stay just a touch below average. Valley highs hold in the lower 100s, but by next weekend, the heat starts cranking back up.

Look for highs near 107 around Independence Day, and that's right about normal for early July.