High Winds and Fire Danger Threaten Western Las Animas County

The National Weather Service in Pueblo issued Red Flag Warnings for daytime hours from December 16 through December 17 and High Wind Warnings from December 16 through December 18 covering portions of southeastern Colorado, including western Las Animas County and the vicinity of Trinidad. The Red Flag warnings warned of southwest winds roughly 15 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to about 45 to 55 miles per hour combined with very low relative humidity as low as about 12 to 18 percent, conditions the agency said could allow any new fire to spread rapidly. The High Wind Warnings called for west winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 miles per hour in some places, with possible impacts including downed trees, downed power lines, and difficult travel for high profile vehicles.

Local emergency agencies and news outlets posted National Weather Service advisories to alert residents and travelers in and around Trinidad, and encouraged people to avoid outdoor burning and other ignition risks while the warnings were in effect. For a rural county with long distances to hospitals and fewer emergency resources per capita, the combination of wind and low humidity increases the potential for a small ignition to become an emergency that strains local response capacity.

The public health consequences of fast moving fires and related power outages extend beyond property loss. Smoke can worsen breathing problems for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart disease. Power interruptions can disrupt home medical equipment and heating systems during winter, creating disproportionate danger for elderly residents and households with low incomes that lack alternative heating options. Community readiness measures matter most in these conditions. Residents were advised to postpone outdoor burning and welding, secure loose yard items, and check on neighbors who may be medically or mobility vulnerable.

As the immediate warnings have passed, the episode underscores ongoing vulnerabilities in Las Animas County to extreme wind and fire weather. Continued attention to preventative measures, support for rural emergency services, and targeted outreach to at risk residents remain important to reduce harm when strong winds and dry conditions return.