Red Flag Warning Issued for Southern Colorado

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of Southern Colorado, citing critical fire weather conditions expected to develop on Thursday.

Alert Details

The Red Flag Warning was issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Pueblo. This alert signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. This warning replaces the previously issued Fire Weather Watch.

Affected Areas

The warning covers Fire Weather Zones 229 and 230, which include the following specific regions:

• Huerfano County: Including Walsenburg
• Western Las Animas County: Including Trinidad and Thatcher

Expected Conditions

Meteorologists expect a combination of strong winds and very dry air to create hazardous conditions:

• Winds: West winds sustained at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 9 percent.
• Impacts: Under these conditions, fires will catch and spread quickly. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is officially in effect from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM MDT on Thursday, March 12.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are urged to take the following precautions:

• Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning or potential ignition sources.
• Prepare for the possibility of rapid fire spread if an ignition occurs.
• Monitor local weather updates and follow instructions from local emergency management officials.