Dangerous Weather Event and Red Flag Warning Issued for, Dec. 19

Boulder County, Colo. - The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for tomorrow, Friday, December 19, in anticipation of Friday’s powerful and potentially damaging Boulder County wind event. This alert indicates that conditions are extreme and pose a significant risk for fire weather.  

This is a particularly dangerous situation in Boulder County that poses a significant threat to life and property in the event of a wildfire start. New or existing fire ignitions will have a high risk for very rapid fire spread.  

Wind gusts may reach 100+ miles per hour in Boulder County, especially in areas west of Highway 36, Broadway, and Highway 93.

Prohibited 

Open burning is not allowed anywhere in Boulder County. 

Avoid any outdoor activities that may cause a spark or flame:  

• No campfires 
• No lawn mowers 
• No charcoal grills 
• No slash burns 
• No outdoor welding 
• No parking in high grass 
• Do not throw cigarettes or matches outdoors 

How to Prepare 

• Help share the message with family, friends, and neighbors that any outdoor activity that could cause a spark or flame should not take place.   
• Be prepared to evacuate should a fire ignite. Know your evacuation routes. If you do not have a way to evacuate, consider leaving the risk area prior to the high wind event. In some cases, safe and timely evacuation may not be possible should a fire approach. 
• Sign up to receive emergency alerts via phone call, text message, and e-mail sign-up at www.BOCOalert.org, or to receive app notifications in other languages, download and use the ReachWell app and add “BOCO Alert” and select your language of choice.
• Have a plan with neighbors and friends on how to evacuate people you care take for (children, older adults, etc.) and pets if you are not home. 
• Assemble an emergency supply kit, grab list of essential or irreplaceable items you would need to take with you. Have multiple ways to receive instructions from emergency services. 
• Before Thursday night, bring in or secure anything that could blow from your yard and could become a hazard (patio furniture, trash cans, decorations, etc.). 
• Lock gates: use carabiners, padlocks or strong latches on all gates to prevent them from blowing open. 
• Bring pets indoors: the safest option is to bring pets inside. If pets must be kept outdoors, keep them under direct supervision, on a leash or in a secure kennel. Ensure all pets wear collars with updated ID tags.