National Weather ServiceColoradoFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Colorado
The National Weather Service issued 90 fire weather watches for Colorado in 2025 and 80 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 2nd most of any state. 2026 through September: 160, 130% above the average of 70 for those months in 2008-2025. Western Las Animas County (including Trinidad and Thatcher) was covered most often (432 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Colorado get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Colorado. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 160 |
| 2025 | 90 |
| 2024 | 86 |
| 2023 | 89 |
| 2022 | 147 |
| 2021 | 102 |
| 2020 | 130 |
| 2019 | 51 |
| 2018 | 106 |
| 2017 | 71 |
| 2016 | 62 |
| 2015 | 36 |
| 2014 | 47 |
| 2013 | 63 |
| 2012 | 92 |
| 2011 | 108 |
| 2010 | 62 |
| 2009 | 35 |
| 2008 | 60 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Colorado get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Colorado?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Las Animas County (including Trinidad and Thatcher) | 432 | 120 | July 2, 2026 |
| Huerfano County (including Walsenburg) | 424 | 124 | July 3, 2026 |
| Eastern Las Animas County (including Pinon Canyon) | 374 | 92 | July 1, 2026 |
| Pueblo County (including Pueblo) | 368 | 108 | August 7, 2026 |
| San Luis Valley (including Alamosa/Del Norte/Fort Garland/Saguache) | 344 | 91 | July 3, 2026 |
| Baca County (including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands) | 320 | 75 | May 18, 2026 |
| Southern El Paso County (including Fort Carson and Colorado Springs) | 319 | 77 | July 2, 2026 |
| Otero County (including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands) | 298 | 72 | June 30, 2026 |
| Fremont County (including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek) | 282 | 64 | August 7, 2026 |
| Crowley County (including Ordway) | 277 | 63 | June 30, 2026 |
| Bent County (including Las Animas) | 272 | 59 | June 10, 2026 |
| Prowers County (including Lamar) | 262 | 58 | June 10, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Colorado.