Strong winds and dry weather across northern Colorado and the Eastern Plains prompted a red flag warning Thursday for “critical fire weather conditions,” according to the National Weather Service.
The red flag warning covers parts of Larimer, Weld, Morgan, Adams, Arapahoe, Elbert, Lincoln, Logan and Washington counties. It will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, according to the weather service.
Up to 50 mph wind gusts are expected in those counties, and relative humidity values may drop as low as 13%, weather service forecasters said.
Dry and windy conditions will bring critical fire weather conditions today along the northern I-25 corridor and adjacent plains, where coinciding relative humidity values as low as 13 percent are forecast. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10 AM until 6 PM today. #COwx pic.twitter.com/cx45Vu9E7R
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) January 15, 2026
A fire weather watch will be in effect for the same counties from Friday morning through the afternoon, according to the weather service.
Xcel Energy officials announced Wednesday that the company was considering a proactive Public Safety Power Shutoff starting at 7 a.m. Friday in Larimer and Weld counties. The planned power outage would include parts of Loveland, Fort Collins and Windsor.
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