Colorado/Wyoming: 100 MPH Winds Fuel Extreme Fire Danger

Forecasters are employing the most severe language to describe an extreme wildfire threat impacting Colorado and Wyoming's foothills on Friday, December 19, 2025. The National Weather Service has issued 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' (PDS) red flag warnings for areas including Boulder and Jefferson counties in Colorado, and Laramie County in Wyoming – marking the first-ever PDS warning in Colorado. These alerts urge residents to prepare for emergencies, as safe evacuation may become impossible if fires approach.

The critical fire conditions stem from a combination of very strong winds, extremely dry air, and near-record warmth. The forecast predicts sustained winds of 45 to 55 mph, with gusts potentially exceeding 100 mph, creating conditions for rapid and erratic wildfire behavior. The Storm Prediction Center has designated the area as Level 3 of 3 for fire weather, the highest severity level, affecting over 600,000 people in cities like Fort Collins, Boulder, and Cheyenne.

To mitigate the risk of ignition from high winds potentially downing power lines, Xcel Energy began a public safety power shutoff for approximately 70,000 customers in Colorado on Friday morning. This follows a similar shutoff earlier in the week due to another extreme wind event. A Level 2 critical fire weather zone also spans much of the Interstate 25 corridor and adjacent foothills, where dry fuels and air could still facilitate quick fire spread.