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13 hours ago
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An urgent weather alert has been issued for thousands in Wyoming and Colorado, warning of a 'particularly dangerous situation' expected on Friday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said a strong wind event is ongoing across the region, with sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph and gusts up to 75 mph, creating extreme conditions for wildfires and potential property damage.
Red flag warnings have been issued, signaling that a combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry fuels is creating a heightened risk for rapid fire growth.
Areas under threat include southern Wyoming's Laramie Range and most of Laramie County, as well as Colorado's Front Range foothills, nearby high plains, portions of the I-25 urban corridor, and some southern counties, all at risk through at least midnight.
The NWS designated a 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' for the southern Laramie Range and foothills in Wyoming, and for the Front Range foothills and adjacent lower elevations in northern and central Colorado.
That includes Boulder, Jefferson, Larimer, and parts of Douglas, Gilpin, Clear Creek and Park Counties.
The NWS warned that conditions mirror those that fueled the 2021 Marshall Fire, which destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Colorado.
Red flag warnings are also in effect in the central and western Nebraska Sandhills, the eastern Panhandle and the southwestern Texas Panhandle.
Louisville, Colorado is in Boulder County is specifically mentioned as being under the 'Particularly Dangerous Situation.' Pictured is a home burning in a wildfire that sparked in 2021
Red flag warnings have been issued in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and Texas
'This is a Particularly Dangerous Situation that poses a significant threat to life and property in the event of a wildfire start,' the NWS stated regarding specific regions in Wyoming and Colorado.
'Residents are urged to assemble an emergency supply kit and know their evacuation routes.
'In some cases, safe and timely evacuation may not be possible should a fire approach. Have multiple ways to receive instructions from emergency services, and evacuate if ordered to or if a fire threatens.'
The Wyoming Department of Transportation has imposed travel restrictions on several key routes. Interstates 80 and 25 are closed to light and high-profile vehicles in multiple areas, including I-25 from the Colorado state line to Whitaker Road, and I-80 from Rawlins through the Laramie Valley into Cheyenne.
A cold front moving through the region tonight is expected to ease conditions by Saturday afternoon.
It could bring mountain snow, prompting a winter weather advisory for affected areas.
In Colorado, this is the first time the NWS office in Boulder has issued 'A Particularly Dangerous Situation' alert for northwest Jefferson and western Boulder counties due to possible wind gusts of 85 to 105 mph.
The most dangerous conditions are expected on Highway 93 into the higher foothills. Coupled with single-digit relative humidity.
The NWS warned that conditions mirror those that fueled the 2021 Marshall Fire (PICTURED), which destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Colorado
For the northern Front Range, the strongest winds are expected west of I-25, reaching into the foothills. Along and east of the I-25 corridor, including the Denver metro area, gusts could reach 40 mph with humidity dropping as low as eight percent.
Meteorologists warned that the top wind gusts could be comparable to those of a Category 2 or 3 hurricane.
Multiple Red Flag Warnings across parts of Nebraska and the Texas Panhandle, warning that critical fire weather conditions are likely on Friday afternoon.
In Nebraska, Red Flag Warnings are in effect from 10am to 5pm local time for the eastern Panhandle and western Sandhills, and from 11am to 6pm for the central and western Sandhills, including areas near the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge and Nebraska National Forest.
In Texas, warnings cover the southwestern and northwest Texas Panhandle from 10am to 6pm local time.
Forecasters said gusty west to southwest winds of 15 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with low relative humidity as low as 10 to 20 percent and temperatures climbing into the mid-60s, could cause any fires that ignite to spread rapidly and become difficult to control.
Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and activities that could spark fires during the warning period.
