Red Flag Warning Issued for Huerfano and Las Animas Counties Through Tuesday
NWS Pueblo CO has issued a Red Flag Warning for Huerfano and Las Animas counties as gusty winds and low humidity create critical fire weather conditions through Tuesday afternoon.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather conditions. This alert indicates that hazardous conditions are either occurring now or will develop shortly. This warning replaces the previously issued Fire Weather Watch for the region.
Affected Areas
The warning impacts the following geographic regions and Fire Weather Zones (229, 230, and 233) in Southern Colorado:
- Huerfano County: Including Walsenburg
- Western Las Animas County: Including Trinidad and Thatcher
- Eastern Las Animas County: Including Pinon Canyon
What You Should Do
Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning or activities that could produce sparks. Under these conditions, fires can catch and spread with extreme rapidity. A Red Flag Warning signifies that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Prepare for the possibility of rapid fire growth.
Expected Conditions
- Winds: West winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 35 mph.
- Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 10 to 15 percent.
- Impacts: Any fires that start will likely spread quickly due to the combination of dry air and gusty winds.
Timeline
The NWS has identified two specific windows for this Red Flag Warning:
- Monday, March 2: The initial warning remains in effect until 7:00 PM MST this evening.
- Tuesday, March 3: A second warning period is effective from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST.
Source: NOAA Official Notice