Red Flag Fire Weather Warning in Colorado: Extreme Winds, Power Outages, and What Comes Next 🔥

Image Source :: CBS

Wind gusts strong enough to bend trees, power shutoffs touching tens of thousands of homes, airport chaos, and a rare winter red flag (fire weather) warning — Colorado’s Front Range has been hit with an intense weather setup. This isn’t your typical December forecast.

Here’s a clear breakdown of why this matters, what happened, and what people should understand about these conditions.

What Is a Red Flag (Fire Weather) Warning?

Let’s start simple: a red flag (fire weather) warning isn’t about flames already burning. It’s a forecast signal — typically issued by the National Weather Service — that conditions are ideal for wildfires to start and spread quickly. That mix usually includes a few key ingredients:

Strong winds
Very dry air (low humidity)
Dry fuels on the ground (grass, brush, trees)

It’s the combination that worries fire managers. When wind hits dry landscapes, sparks can turn into major fires in minutes. That’s exactly the environment Colorado faced this week. localconditions.com

The Storm That Came Through Colorado

In mid-December 2025, Colorado’s weather flipped. A strong jet stream and a deep low-pressure system began to overhaul the typical winter pattern. The result:

Extreme Wind Gusts Across the Front Range

Monday through Wednesday, powerful winds raced across the Front Range — in some places with gusts that rival tropical storms.

Berthoud Pass reported wind gusts above 102 mph.
Boulder County saw gusts near 97 mph.
Other foothill and urban locations felt winds in the 90s.
These speeds are rare for Colorado in winter, and especially so when tied to fire danger. boulderodm.gov

This wasn’t just “breezy weather.” These winds were strong enough to:

Crush power lines.
Throw debris and loose objects.
Break windows on buildings and vehicles.
Make driving extremely hazardous, especially for high-profile vehicles. govonestop.com

How Denver Weather Was Impacted

Even if you weren’t in the immediate foothills, Denver residents felt the effects.

Airport Delays and Cancelled Flights

Denver International Airport faced dozens of delays and at least one cancellation. Strong wind forced ground holds and flight slowdowns, because aircraft can’t safely take off or land when surface winds are unpredictable or gust over certain limits. boulderodm.gov

Schools and Community Disruptions

Several area school districts closed entirely or ended classes early. University of Colorado Boulder pushed back start times, and holiday events in the metro area were called off. boulderodm.gov

Road Closures

Highways around Boulder, Lyons, and sometimes westward toward the mountains were temporarily closed due to accidents or dangerous travel conditions brought on by the wind. boulderodm.gov

Power Outages: Prepared Cuts and Unplanned Failures

One of the biggest stories from this weather event wasn’t just the gusts — it was the blackout that came with them.

Why Power Was Shut Off

To reduce the chance that downed lines would spark wildfires in gusty, dry conditions, Xcel Energy implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). This is only the second time Colorado’s largest utility has done this. Xcel Energy Newsroom

About 50,000 customers across Boulder, Jefferson, Larimer, Weld, and Clear Creek counties were preemptively cut from the grid. Then, as the high winds continued, an additional ~68,500 outages were caused by the weather itself — downed lines and equipment damage. Xcel Energy Newsroom

By Wednesday evening, around 120,000 Colorado customers were without power — and crews warned that restoration could take hours to days, because every damaged line must be inspected before being safely re-energized. Xcel Energy Newsroom

Utility officials also said another potential PSPS could come as soon as Friday if winds and dry conditions return. Xcel Energy Newsroom

How Fire Danger Played Into It

It feels counter-intuitive during a snowy season to talk about fire weather, but Colorado’s drought and unusually dry winter fuels have created conditions more often seen in spring or fall.

During this event:

Relative humidity dropped to dangerous levels.
Winds across the Front Range helped dry fuels further.
Officials issued red flag (fire weather) warnings throughout the metro, including Denver and surrounding counties. localconditions.com

While no major wildfires have sparked yet, the risk was real enough that authorities acted proactively — both with power cuts and by issuing public safety guidance.

What This Means for Residents

So if you live in the Denver area or the Colorado Front Range, here’s the bottom line on this weather event:

The Weather Was Not Normal for December.

Most years bring snow or calm cold. This year brought wind and dryness — the kind that stresses power infrastructure and fuels fire danger. Colorado Public Radio

A Red Flag Warning Is Serious — Even in Winter.

People in Colorado often associate reds flags with hot, dry summers. But this event proves that strong winds and low humidity can come at surprising times. localconditions.com

Prepare for Power Disruption Before You Need It.

When utilities warn of a PSPS or severe weather, having essentials ready — generators, charged devices, food and water — makes a big difference. Restoration can be slow when crews have to wait for safe conditions. Xcel Energy Newsroom

Be Mindful of Travel & Outdoor Plans.

Wind impacts more than power. Delays, closures, and debris can affect daily life quickly.

Conclusion: A Storm That Was More Than Wind

Colorado’s mid-December wind event wasn’t just a brief weather blip. It combined extreme winds, unusual dryness, and a red flag (fire weather) warning — conditions that pushed authorities to take uncommon steps like preemptive power shutoffs and flight restrictions.

For Colorado — especially the Denver metro and Front Range — the message is clear: weather doesn’t always follow the calendar. Preparing for the unexpected and understanding how conditions like red flag warnings work can help keep communities safe, regardless of the season.

References

Xcel Energy power outage and restoration details. Xcel Newsroom. Restoration work begins following Public Safety Power Shutoff*
Public Safety Power Shutoff plan and fire danger context. Xcel Energy & Jefferson County Resource Centers. Public Safety Power Shutoff underway*
National Weather Service alert details on fire weather and wind. GovOneStop severe weather summaries. Fire Weather Watch & High Wind Warnings*
CBS Colorado coverage of Denver area impacts. CBS News Colorado. Denver airport delays, crashes, broken windows...*