Pueblo, Colorado — Critical fire weather conditions across southern Colorado are triggering Red Flag Warnings through Monday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Sunday, with another warning scheduled from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday for Huerfano County and western Las Animas County, including the communities of Walsenburg, Trinidad and Thatcher.
Meteorologists say the warning is driven by a dangerous combination of gusty winds and extremely dry air, conditions that can allow wildfires to ignite easily and spread quickly.
Forecast conditions include west winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph and relative humidity dropping as low as 6 percent. Those values fall well within thresholds considered critical for rapid wildfire growth.
The alert covers Fire Weather Zones 229 and 230, where fuels have been drying after a stretch of limited precipitation and persistent downslope winds across the southern High Plains.
The Storm Prediction Center also highlighted critical fire weather conditions across portions of the central and southern High Plains on Monday, including parts of northeast New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle, eastern Wyoming, and western Nebraska. Strong winds and dry air across those regions are expected to create favorable conditions for wildfire spread.
The National Weather Service warns that any spark could lead to fast-moving fire behavior under these conditions.
Officials urge residents to avoid outdoor burning, properly dispose of cigarettes, and secure equipment that could create sparks. Even small ignition sources can quickly become dangerous when humidity is extremely low and winds are strong.
The warning may affect ranching operations, rural travel routes, and outdoor work across southern Colorado during peak afternoon wind periods. Students, workers, and commuters traveling through the region may notice reduced air moisture and stronger winds through Monday afternoon.
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