SEDGWICK, Colo. - A mile-long brush fire forced the closure of westbound Interstate 76 near Mile Point 165, about 15 miles west of Julesburg, on Sunday afternoon according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Officials closed the highway at the Sedgwick exit shortly before 3 p.m. as smoke from a rapidly spreading grass fire crossed the roadway, creating hazardous driving conditions. Traffic was routed to Highway 138 until the interstate reopened at approximately 3:36 p.m.

Kali Zeffel was traveling through the area before the road closed and said the big fire created a smoke cloud so big it covered the sun got dark quick.

"It was scary," Zeffel said. "No visibility. It was so smokey we had to cover our mouths in the truck. It was thick smoke for a while."

The fire came amid Red Flag Warnings issued for northern and eastern Colorado, where dry conditions and strong winds are fueling fire danger. Wind gusts between 15 and 40 mph were expected across the plains Sunday, with even stronger gusts of up to 65 mph in the foothills and higher mountain ridges.

Ovid, Sedgwick, Crook, Sterling and Haxtun Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene. Firefighters were performing mop-up duties at about 3:50 p.m.

CDOT also put in "High Wind Restrictions" Sunday on I-76 between Denver and Nebraska for all high profile vehicles, light or empty trailers.

More fire weather concerns are expected Monday as temperatures climb and wind gusts reach 50 mph in some areas, particularly from the east slopes of the Front Range to Fort Morgan and Limon. Officials warn conditions could lead to rapid fire spread and urge residents to avoid any outdoor burning.

A major weather shift is expected Tuesday, with a storm system bringing snow to the mountains by morning before spreading to the plains by the afternoon. Rain is forecast to transition to snow by Tuesday evening, with gusty winds up to 50 mph creating possible travel impacts near Denver and in areas south and southeast of the city.

Additional light to moderate snowfall is possible later in the week, with another round of precipitation expected Thursday night into Friday and continuing into the weekend.