A controlled burn got out of control Monday afternoon in McElmo Canyon just east of the Sand Canyon Trailhead.

No injuries were reported, but the fire singed a hay barn and threatened a trailer home. The burn kicked up during high winds on a red flag warning, when open fires are banned in unincorporated Montezuma County.

Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze, including the Cortez Fire Protection District and Ute Mountain Fire Department. Neighbor John Tomac also assisted with a privately owned water truck, and Montezuma County Sheriff’s deputies conducted traffic control as firetrucks moved up and down County Road G to contain the fire. A Southwest Health System ambulance also responded.

Another fast-moving fire was reported about 5 p.m. near Ismay, at the Utah border, and firefighters were responding to that one as well.

“With the lack of moisture, the county is at a high risk for fires this year,” said sheriff’s deputy Dave Huhn, who was at the Sand Canyon fire. He added that the fire was under investigation.

The red flag warning, originally set to expire at 6 p.m. Monday, was extended until 9 p.m. Monday, according to an alert from the National Weather Service. The warning covers much of Southwest Colorado, as well as Delta, Montrose and Mesa counties below 6,000 feet. During red flag conditions, fire starts are difficult or impossible to control because of the combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry grass and brush fuels, the weather service said.

By Montezuma County ordinance, controlled burns are banned during a red flag day. During a suspension of the fire ban, residents in unincorporated Montezuma County are directed to call a dispatcher at 970-565-8441 the day of the proposed burn and before it is started. A violation of the ordinance may be punished by a fine of up to $1,000.

In La Plata County, two fires that burned out of control Monday were contained by firefighters, one 3 miles east of Elmore’s Corner and one near County Road 302, off U.S. Highway 550.

A controlled agricultural burn was reported out of control at about 12:40 p.m. three miles east of Elmore’s Corner along County Road 225A, between U.S. Highway 160 and County Road 510, according to Scot Davis with the Durango Fire Protection District.

The fire grew to 5 acres. Four engines, a tanker, three crews from DFPD, a wildland fire engine and crew, the battalion chief and his truck worked to control the fire, and it was reported to be under control about 2 p.m.

Another fire, which started in clusters of piñon and juniper trees and burned 1 acre, was reported at about 1:45 p.m. in the 1100 block of County Road 302, off U.S. Highway 550, south of Durango. One brush fire truck, two tankers, one engine, two command vehicles, 10 fire responders and an investigator were called to the location, and DFPD announced at 3:40 p.m. that the fire was under control. The cause is unknown and currently under investigation.

Jim Mimiaga of The Journal and Forrest Stone of The Durango Herald contributed to this article.