DENVER — It's a Denver7 Weather Action Day as record-breaking heat is expected to peak Saturday across the Denver area, with temperatures climbing into the upper 80s and potentially reaching 90 degrees.
Denver tied the warmest March temperature on record Friday at 85 degrees, and we broke that record today at 86 degrees as of 4:13 p.m on Saturday. The historic highs coupled with drought conditions are making for elevated fire danger across the state, with public safety officials warning that any spark is dangerous. Several large fires are already burning in the state, and red flag warnings are taking effect.
The Denver7 news team is tracking the latest weather impacts and alerts in the Colorado weather blog below. Refresh this page for updates.
LINKS: Closings and Delays | Latest forecast | Radars | Traffic | Weather Page | 24/7 Weather Stream
Saturday, March 21
5:37 | Custer County Fire | A grass fire is burning near Haven Road south of Lake DeWeese and just east of Lake DeWeese Road, Custer County sheriff's office officials said. Crews are responding.
4:56 p.m. | Adams County Fire | South Adams County Fire Department said it responded to a large grass fire near the intersection of 48th Avenue and Monaco earlier in the day that is now under control.
4:26 p.m. | Lone Tree Fire | The fire is now under control, per fire officials. It burned about 20 acres.
Update: Forward progress has been stopped and the fire is under control. Crews are working on mop-up and checking for any hot spots. Fire is estimated at 20 acres. pic.twitter.com/dTFg5pY8Tc
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) March 21, 2026
4:15 p.m. | New High Record | Temperatures at DIA have reached 86 degrees, the highest ever temperature recorded in March for the Mile High. That marks the third straight record-breaking day for Denver, with the last two days reaching 85 degrees. The previous record for today was 78 degrees, and the official high temperature from the day could still climb higher, according to Denver7 meteorologist Stacey Donaldson.
4:02 p.m. | 24 Fire | Smoke from the 24 Fire has increased rapidly, but Colorado Springs Fire Department said in a post "there is no immediate threat to our community." Still, the department urged community members to stay aware, review evacuation plans, and have a go bag ready. The fire is currently at 1,126 acres and 0% containment, the Fremont County Sheriff's Office said at 3:33 p.m.
Smoke from the 24 Fire burning south of us has increased rapidly in the last hour, which is why it’s so visible from across our city. You're likely smelling smoke as well. While this is understandably alarming—especially for those who remember past fires—please know that at this… pic.twitter.com/28fdEqOvAT
— Colorado Springs Fire Department (@CSFDPIO) March 21, 2026
Officials with the Fremont County Sheriff's Office said earlier in the day that "control lines held well throughout the night" and that acreage of the burn area hadn't increased significantly. There had been no reported injuries or damage to homes and businesses as of 10:31 a.m. Officials said at 3:33 p.m. that fire activity had picked up due to high winds and hot temperatures.
3:41 p.m. | Lone Tree Brush Fire | No structures are threatened, but westbound Ridgegate Parkway is closed near Meridian Village Parkway, South Metro Fire Rescue said. More updates here.
3:35 p.m. | Lone Tree Brush Fire | Crews are responding to a brush fire near South Peoria Street and Ridgegate Parkway in Lone Tree, South Metro Fire Rescue said.
SMFR is responding to a brush fire near South Peoria St and Ridgegate Pkwy in Lone Tree. Updates will follow as more information is confirmed. pic.twitter.com/zkxqZ1Q03g
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) March 21, 2026
3:31 p.m. | Fort Lupton Fire | Fort Lupton Fire Protection District said crews responded to a small fire earlier in the day that burned about 6 acres. Officials say two large trees could continue to smolder and flames could be visible throughout the night. Fire crews are remaining on scene, officials said.
2:00 p.m. | Red Flag Warning | A red flag warning is now in effect through 10 p.m. for the I-25 corridor, palmer divide and northeastern plains along I-76, joining the foothills and mountain valleys which have been under a red flag warning since 11 a.m. this morning.
1:52 | Power Outages | More than 1,000 Core Electric customers are without power in Clear Creek and Jefferson counties, the utility said in a post on X. "Crews are assessing and will work as quickly as possible to restore service," the post said.
1:48 p.m. | CORE Electric | Core Electric said alternate relay settings — which make power lines more sensitive — are in effect in all of its operating districts due to red flag warnings.
"These protocols help mitigate the risk of ignition, but can cause longer outages," the utility's website states.
12:36 p.m. | 24 Fire | Colorado Springs Fire Protection District said its crews were performing holding and ignition operations — using fire to contain the burn area.
CSFD Wildland 4 and Utility 4 are assisting on the #24Fire. Our crew is working with multiple engines and hotshots performing holding operations while hand crews do ignition ops. This means they’re using fire to contain the edges of the burn area. pic.twitter.com/bk7DmBbaXp
— Colorado Springs Fire Department (@CSFDPIO) March 21, 2026
11: 24 a.m. | Red Flag Warnings | Some areas of the state are now under a red flag warning as of 11 a.m. that extends through 11 p.m. Red flag warnings go into effect later today in other areas of the state.
"Gusty winds and very low humidity values will bring a day of critical fire weather conditions to much of the region. With record high temperatures and dry fuels, any fires will grow rapidly. Avoid activities that could start a wildfire!" NWS Pueblo wrote in a post.
11:16 a.m. | Chama Canyon Fire | The fire burning in Costilla County is 50% contained and is currently at 141 acres, officials with Costilla County Office of Emergency Management said in a post Saturday morning. Read more here.
11:00 a.m. | State Line Fire | The Livermore Fire Protection District in Northern Colorado said early Saturday morning it was battling a fire half a mile west of U.S. 287 near the Wyoming state line. Officials said at 10:15 am. the fire was holding at 2 acres.
#statelinefire Update we have hand crews and waterlines deployed. Currently holding at 2 acres. pic.twitter.com/ysIaQGjZs9
— Livermore Fire Protection District (@FireLivermore) March 21, 2026
10:42 a.m. | 24 Fire | The Fremont County Sheriff's Office "heavy air firefighting operations" were resuming on the thousand-acre fire that broke out Wednesday. Evacuations remain in place within 2 miles of County Road F45 and State Highway 115, and an evacuation center is available Pathfinder Park in Florence. Read more on the fire here.
10:39 a.m. | High Temps| We're set to see historic highs today, with predicted temperatures spiking in the 90s in some areas.
10:27 a.m. | Red Flag Warnings | A red flag warning for much of the state is set to take effect at 2 p.m. and stay in place through 10 p.m. Saturday.
Click here to watch the Denver7 live weather stream.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story included information about a high wind warning that was issued earlier this month. That information has been removed.