‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’ red flag warnings issued across Wyoming, Colorado as winds threaten wildfire spread

A National Weather Service advisory has declared a 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' red flag warning for thousands of residents in Wyoming and Colorado as a fast-moving wind event threatens to accelerate wildfire spread. Forecasters say sustained winds will range from 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 75 mph, while humidity remains very low and dry fuels are present.

Red flag warnings cover southern Wyoming's Laramie Range and most of Laramie County, and extend into Colorado's Front Range foothills and adjacent high plains, including portions of the I-25 corridor and several southern counties. The NWS designated the 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' for the southern Laramie Range and foothills, and for the Front Range foothills and adjacent lower elevations in northern and central Colorado, including Boulder, Jefferson, Larimer, and parts of Douglas, Gilpin, Clear Creek and Park Counties. The warnings are in effect through at least midnight.

Residents are urged to assemble emergency supply kits, know evacuation routes, and have multiple ways to receive instructions from emergency services. In some cases, safe and timely evacuation may not be possible should a fire approach; residents should evacuate if ordered or if conditions threaten. Authorities emphasize that conditions can change rapidly and residents should stay updated.

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. The front could bring mountain snow and trigger a winter weather advisory for affected areas.

In Colorado, the warning marks the first time the Boulder office 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, with single-digit relative humidity. The NWS cautioned that these winds could mirror those seen during severe wildfire events. 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 to as low as 8 percent.

Meteorologists warned that the top wind gusts could be comparable to those of a Category 2 or 3 hurricane in terms of potential to drive fires, underscoring the risk of rapid spread if a spark occurs.

Across Nebraska and Texas, red flag warnings also are in effect. In Nebraska, warnings cover the eastern Panhandle and western Sandhills from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and central and western Sandhills from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., including areas near the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge and Nebraska National Forest. In Texas, warnings span the southwestern and northwest Texas Panhandle from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with gusts of 15 to 30 mph and gusts up to 45 mph, and humidity as low as 10 to 20 percent as temperatures rise into the mid-60s. Officials warned that any fires ignited during the period could spread rapidly and be difficult to control.

Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and activities that could spark fires during the warning period. The NWS advised people to monitor official channels for updates and to comply with evacuation orders.