Alert archive / Colorado / Red Flag Warnings in 2026

Red Flag Warning 79, NWS Pueblo, CO

August 6, 2026Fremont County, Pueblo County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this red flag warning at Aug 6, 2026, 12:55 PM MDT for Fremont County, Pueblo County, Colorado. It took effect at Aug 7, 2026, 1:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 7 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 6, 2026, 12:55 PM MDT (18:55 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 7, 2026, 1:00 PM MDT
Expired
Aug 7, 2026, 8:00 PM MDT
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO

Counties Fremont County, CO, Pueblo County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:58 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The text

As transmitted.

130 
WWUS85 KPUB 061855
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1255 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026


COZ222-228-071100-
/O.UPG.KPUB.FW.A.0068.260807T1900Z-260808T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KPUB.FW.W.0079.260807T1900Z-260808T0200Z/
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
1255 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM MDT FRIDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
222 AND 228...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag
Warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no
longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 222 and 228.

* WINDS...East 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise 
  extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

COZ220-223-070100-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0078.000000T0000Z-260807T0100Z/
Upper Arkansas River Valley Including Lake County and Chaffee
County-
Eastern San Juan Mountains and La Garita Mountains Including Wolf
Creek Pass and Creede-
1255 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
220 AND 223...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220 and 223.

* WINDS...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise 
  extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
654 
WWUS85 KPUB 070051
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
651 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

COZ220-223-070200-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FW.W.0078.000000T0000Z-260807T0100Z/
Upper Arkansas River Valley Including Lake County and Chaffee
County-
Eastern San Juan Mountains and La Garita Mountains Including Wolf
Creek Pass and Creede-
651 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
220 AND 223...

The Red Flag warning will expire at 7 pm for areas along the
Continental Divide. 

$$

COZ222-228-071700-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0079.260807T1900Z-260808T0200Z/
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
651 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM MDT
FRIDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER
ZONES 222 AND 228...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 222 and 228.

* WINDS...East 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise 
  extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
549 
WWUS85 KPUB 070607
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1207 AM MDT Fri Aug 7 2026

COZ222-228-072215-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0079.260807T1900Z-260808T0200Z/
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
1207 AM MDT Fri Aug 7 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 222 AND 228...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 222 and 228.

* WINDS...East 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 9 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise 
  extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
501 
WWUS85 KPUB 072025
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
225 PM MDT Fri Aug 7 2026

COZ222-228-080200-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0079.000000T0000Z-260808T0200Z/
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
225 PM MDT Fri Aug 7 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 222 AND 228...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 222 and 228.

* WINDS...East 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 9 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
232 
WWUS85 KPUB 080147
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
747 PM MDT Fri Aug 7 2026

COZ222-228-080300-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FW.W.0079.000000T0000Z-260808T0200Z/
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
747 PM MDT Fri Aug 7 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
222 AND 228...

The Red Flag warning for Pueblo county and Fremont county will
expire at 8 pm.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Pueblo, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Aug 6, 12:55 PM MDT, 0 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Critical fire weather conditions for Fremont and Pueblo counties tomorrow afternoon and evening.
  • Warming trend starts tomorrow, with 100+ degree readings across the eastern plains Friday through Tuesday.
  • Spotty critical fire weather conditions across the far eastern plains this weekend.
  • Dry region-wide through Saturday, then moisture slowly increases over the higher terrain from Sunday onward.
  • Influx of monsoon moisture increase precipitation chances significantly next week, with flash flooding concerns by mid- week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 6, 12:55 PM MDT, 0 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1255 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Critical fire weather conditions for Fremont and Pueblo
  counties tomorrow afternoon and evening.

- Warming trend starts tomorrow, with 100+ degree readings
  across the eastern plains Friday through Tuesday.

- Spotty critical fire weather conditions across the far eastern plains
  this weekend.

- Dry region-wide through Saturday, then moisture slowly
  increases over the higher terrain from Sunday onward.

- Influx of monsoon moisture increase precipitation chances
  significantly next week, with flash flooding concerns by mid-
  week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1253 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

Currently...Upper ridge of high pressure stationed over the Desert
SW today, providing for sunny, hazy and warm conditions across the
region. As of 1 PM, temps had climbed into the 80s across the high
valleys, and 80s to lower 90s for the plains.

Tonight and tomorrow...Little change to the upper pattern, with the
center of the high remaining over southern UT and northern AZ. Any
isolated convection that does fire over the mt ridges will likely
remain along the southern border through the evening, with the last
activity exiting the southeast corner of the state by midnight.
Main threats from any storms this evening will be gusty outflow
winds, and cloud to ground lightning. Look for overnight lows
in the mid 40s to lower 50s for the high valleys, and upper 50s
to mid 60s for the plains.

For Friday, the heat starts to crank up, with forecast highs in the
upper 80s to mid 90s for the high valleys, and mid 90s to low 100s
for the plains. Widespread minimum humidity levels of less than 15%
will mean a very hot and dry day, and decided to upgrade the ongoing
Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning for Fremont and Pueblo
counties since gap flow winds there should be strong enough to
produce critical fire weather conditions.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1253 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

Friday night through Sunday...Upper ridge flattens out somewhat but
still remains in somewhat the same position. This will mean very hot
conditions across the forecast area both Sat and Sun. Precipitation
chances look meager with just isolated chances over the mts for Sat,
then a slight uptick in activity for Sun though it does not as
promising as it did just 24 hrs ago. Spotty fire weather conditions
may develop for the far eastern plains near the KS border due to
strengthening southerly winds and RH levels bottoming out, so
additional fire weather highlights are likely from following shifts.
Plan on highs both days in the upper 80s to mid 90s for the high
valleys, and 96-106F across the plains.

Monday and Tuesday...Upper ridge becomes more amplified again to
start the work week, while the center of the high continues right
over the UT/AZ border. Long range models still want to increase
precip chances over the higher terrain both days into the likely
category, with some isolated activity spilling over onto the I-25
Corridor. The far eastern plains will likely remain dry. There will
be a slight increase in llvl moisture, so the hope is that RH levels
remain above the critical sub-15% range. Temps will remain hot,
though there may be a few degrees of cooling in some spots, with
highs both days in the 80s to around 90F for the high valleys, and
90s to low 100s for the plains.

Wednesday and Thursday...Upper ridge finally starts to make a slow
move to the east by mid-week, crossing directly over the Four
Corners. If this model solution holds true, then afternoon high
temps will cool by at least 10 degrees if not more, and precip
chances jump up into the categorical range for the higher terrain,
with scattered chances spreading across the plains. Area burn scars
will need to be monitored closely both days. Moore

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1122 AM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

VFR conditions anticipated across the forecast area over the next 24
hrs, including the three main TAF sites of KCOS, KPUB and KALS.
Winds at KCOS and KPUB will become E-SE this afternoon, with
occasional gusts to around 20 kts. Haze and patchy smoke will
persist for the much of the area, though significant visibility
restrictions are not expected at this time.

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning until 7 PM MDT this evening for COZ220-223.
Red Flag Warning from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Friday for COZ222-228.

&&

SHORT TERM...MOORE
LONG TERM...MOORE
AVIATION...MOORE
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 6, 11:10 AM MDT, 1 hour 45 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1110 AM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

COZ058>089-093>099-071300-
Western Mosquito Range/East Lake County Above 11000 Feet-
Leadville Vicinity/Lake County Below 11000 Feet-
Eastern Sawatch Mountains Above 11000 Feet-
Western Chaffee County Between 9000 and 11000 Feet-
Central Chaffee County Below 9000 Feet-
Western Mosquito Range/East Chaffee County Above 9000 Feet-
Saguache County West of Continental Divide Below 10000 Feet-
Saguache County East of Continental Divide Below 10000 Feet-
La Garita Mountains Above 10000 Feet-
Upper Rio Grande Valley/Eastern San Juan Mountains Below
10000 Feet-Eastern San Juan Mountains Above 10000 Feet-
Del Norte Vicinity/Northern San Luis Valley Below 8500 Feet-
Alamosa  Vicinity/Central San Luis Valley Below 8500 Feet-
Southern San Luis Valley-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 8500 And 11000 Feet-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Feet-
Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Feet-
Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Feet-
Northwestern Fremont County Above 8500 Feet-
Western/Central Fremont County Below 8500 Feet-
Wet Mountain Valley Below 8500 Feet-
Wet Mountains between 6300 and 10000 Feet-
Wet Mountains Above 10000 Feet-
Teller County/Rampart Range Above 7500 Feet/Pikes Peak Between
7500 And 11000 Feet-Pikes Peak Above 11000 Feet-
Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County-
Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below
7500 Feet-
Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range
Below 7400 Feet-Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet-
Walsenburg Vicinity/Upper Huerfano River Basin Below 7500 Feet-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Feet-
Crowley County-La Junta Vicinity/Otero County-
Eastern Las Animas County-Western Kiowa County-
Eastern Kiowa County-Las Animas Vicinity/Bent County-
Lamar Vicinity/Prowers County-Springfield Vicinity/Baca County-
1110 AM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east
central...south central and southeast Colorado.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Isolated high base thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon
mainly over the mountain ridges of the San Juans, southern
mountains and Pikes Peak. Gusty winds and an isolated lightning
strike will be the primary threats.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the areas along the
Continental Divide this afternoon until 7 PM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Pueblo and Fremont counties
on Friday.

Temperatures on the plains and in the valleys will be hot Friday,
Saturday and Sunday. Readings over the plains will be about 100
on Friday and up to 105 Saturday and Sunday. Critical fire weather
conditions may occur over the far eastern plains this weekend.

Temperatures should start to slowly cool down early next week
with shower chances slowly increasing as the week goes by.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters will not be needed this afternoon or tonight.

34

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pueblo, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 5, 6:33 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBLas Animas27 min
Aug 6, 12:21 AM MDTFire Weather WatchPUBFremont, Pueblo13 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Colorado, 2026Every red flag warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.