Thunderstorms are expected to move over the Pearl Fire northwest of Fort Collins on Tuesday, which could prove beneficial or troublesome for firefighting efforts.
The fire is located about 5 miles northwest of Red Feather Lakes, or about 50 miles northwest of Fort Collins.
Jim Kalina, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Boulder, told the Coloradoan early Tuesday morning a line of thunderstorms is expected to move over the fire Tuesday afternoon, bringing rain, strong wind and possible lighting strikes.
He said there will be sustained southerly wind of 15 to 25 mph, increasing to 35 mph out of the southeast as the storm approaches and wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph that could linger into overnight.
With the expected wind could come 0.20 to 0.40 inches of rain and lightning early to late afternoon, Kalina said.
Wednesday’s forecast calls for sunny with a high near 65 degrees and west-southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, gusting to as high as 25 mph.
The Pearl Fire started Monday on private property and spread to the Roosevelt National Forest. Larimer County Sheriff’s Office investigators said the fire was human caused. The fire is still under investigation.