The smoke that blanketed Colorado mountain skies for much of the week has dissipated, but officials are warning that high winds this weekend will increase the wildfire danger amid widespread drought. 

The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings across the Western Slope for Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The warnings advise of “critical fire weather” conditions, with gusts up to 50 mph and dry vegetation that will ignite easily.

“Elevated fire danger is expected,” the red flag warnings state. “Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically.”

Counties across the mountains have entered Stage 2 fire restrictions, which ban all campfires and charcoal grills, as severe drought persists after a historically hot and dry winter. All of the White River National Forest — the nation’s most visited national forest — also entered Stage 2 fire restrictions this week.

In the Dillon Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service rangers placed “No Campfire” flagging in over 120 rock fire rings last weekend and extinguished two abandoned campfires, according to White River National Forest Public Affairs Officer David Boyd.

Nearly 85% of wildland fires in the U.S. are caused by humans, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Some of the most destructive wildfires in Colorado’s history have been sparked by human activities. 

Campfires, which are banned in most parts of the mountain due to restrictions, should never be left unattended and should be fully extinguished until embers are cool to the touch, according to wildfire officials. Drivers should also ensure chains that could spark are not dragging and cigarettes are disposed of properly.

Smoke from large wildfires burning in Utah is not expected to reach Colorado. The Dry Creek Fire near Rifle, which is now 90% contained, is also not producing noticeable smoke, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. But officials said that could change if a new wildfire were to spark and spread quickly due to the red flag conditions this weekend.