Red Flag Warning Issued for Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las Animas Counties Due to High Winds

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag Warning for Southern Colorado. This alert, issued by NWS Pueblo CO, signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or imminent. The warning is driven by a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures that can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Affected Areas

The warning covers Fire Weather Zones 228, 229, and 230. Specific regions include:

• Pueblo County: Including the city of Pueblo.
• Huerfano County: Including Walsenburg.
• Western Las Animas County: Including Trinidad and Thatcher.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area should prepare for critical fire weather. A Red Flag Warning means that fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically. It is essential to avoid any activities that could produce sparks or flames. Residents are encouraged to listen for later forecasts and remain vigilant for potential fire starts.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions are expected to be hazardous throughout the mid-week period:

• Winds: On Wednesday, west winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph. Winds on Tuesday and Thursday are also forecast to be gusty, ranging from 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Humidity levels will be dangerously low, ranging between 5 and 10 percent.
• Impacts: Elevated fire danger is expected across the region, making any fire suppression efforts difficult.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is specifically in effect from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Additionally, a Fire Weather Watch is in effect for the same regions from Thursday morning through Thursday afternoon.