COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Fire danger will spike across southern Colorado Monday as gusty west winds and very dry air grip the I-25 corridor. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon to 6 p.m. MDT for El Paso, Pueblo, and Huerfano Counties, including Colorado Springs, Fort Carson, Pueblo, and Walsenburg.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, west winds will increase to 10–20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph this afternoon, while humidity levels drop to between 10 and 15 percent. The combination of warmth, wind, and dry fuels will create conditions where any spark could rapidly spread out of control.
The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control urges residents to avoid outdoor burning, welding, or using equipment that could produce sparks. Drivers should not park on dry grass or discard cigarettes, as roadside ignitions remain a leading cause of wildfires this time of year.
Fire crews across southern Colorado are on alert for potential new starts, particularly along Interstate 25 and in open areas near Fort Carson and Pueblo West. Winds are expected to ease by sunset, though fuels will remain critically dry through midweek.
Temperatures will stay mild through Tuesday before a midweek cold front brings cooler, more humid air and a brief reduction in fire risk.
