Red Flag Warning Issued for Pueblo, Huerfano, and Western Las Animas Counties

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag Warning for Southern Colorado. The alert is triggered by a combination of strong winds and extremely low relative humidity, which creates an environment conducive to extreme fire behavior. This alert replaces previous watches for the area.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following regions and Fire Weather Zones (228, 229, and 230):

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

What You Should Do

Residents are urged to prepare for critical fire weather conditions. A Red Flag Warning indicates that these conditions are either occurring now or are imminent. Residents should avoid any outdoor activities that could produce sparks or flames, as fires can catch and spread rapidly and erratically under these conditions. Monitor local forecasts for updates and potential extensions of the warning.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: Northwest winds are expected to reach speeds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts peaking at 45 mph on Thursday. On Friday, winds will remain breezy at 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop significantly, ranging between 5 and 10 percent.
• Impacts: The combination of wind and low humidity will result in elevated fire danger, where any fire that starts will likely spread quickly.

Timeline

• Red Flag Warning: In effect from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM MST on Thursday, February 26.
• Fire Weather Watch: A subsequent watch is in effect from Friday morning through Friday afternoon for the same regions.