Red Flag Warning Issued for Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest
NWS Pueblo CO has issued a Red Flag Warning for Northern El Paso County effective Wednesday, February 25, citing high wind gusts and low humidity.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag Warning for Northern El Paso County. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or imminent due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically covers Fire Weather Zone 226, which includes Northern El Paso County. Impacted communities include Monument and Black Forest.
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas should prepare for elevated fire danger. Under these conditions, fires can catch and spread rapidly and erratically. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. Residents should exercise extreme caution with any potential ignition sources.
Expected Conditions
Weather conditions are expected to include:
- Winds: West winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 45 mph.
- Relative Humidity: Levels dropping to between 10 and 15 percent.
- Impacts: Elevated fire danger is expected, contributing to potential extreme fire behavior.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Source: NOAA Official Notice