Red Flag Warning / High Wind
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning and High Wind Warning for Larimer County on Wednesday, December 17.
- Red Flag Warning for Larimer County below 6000 feet from 11 AM to 6 PM Wednesday due to sustained winds of 20-40 mph by mid-afternoon. Gusts exceeding 60-80 mph, particularly along the foothills and adjacent plains.
- High Wind Warning for Larimer County above 9000 feet from 8 AM Wednesday to 5 AM MST Thursday due to west winds 30-50 mph with gusts up to 90 mph expected.
Wildfire risk is high, and strong winds can damage power lines, resulting in power outages throughout the county.
Public Safety Power Shutoff
As of 9 a.m., MT, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, Xcel Energy has communicated that they will likely need to conduct a targeted Public Safety Power Shutoff along the Front Range as a public safety measure to reduce wildfire risk on Dec. 17, beginning at 10:00 AM and ending at 6:00 PM. A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event is when a power company turns off power in certain areas to prevent wildfires during extreme or critical wildfire risk conditions.
If a PSPS is needed, it may take several hours to several days for customers’ power to be restored because a crew must patrol power lines to ensure they’re safe to be re-energized.
For more information on potential Xcel Power Safety Power Shutoff visit, https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-safety/wildfires/power-shutoffs/event-update
Power Outage Preparedness
Due to high winds, all of Larimer County is susceptible to power outages on Wednesday, December 17. Please take appropriate action to be prepared.
Prepare Your Home
- Set your fridge and freezer to the coldest setting to keep food cold for up to four hours in the fridge and up to 48 hours in the freezer.
- Turn off or unplug electrical appliances or equipment that could surge when power returns.
- Consider purchasing portable charger banks and stock up on batteries.
- Designate a dedicated outdoor space for generators, grills and stoves, and make sure they are functioning properly. Do not operate these items indoors or in partially enclosed spaces.
- Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs when the power goes out, such as a portable charger or power bank
- Practice opening garage doors without the electronic motor.
Prepare Yourself and Your Community
- Write down emergency numbers and critical contact information.
- Acquire a first aid kit of sufficient size for your household and keep it stocked.
- Keep an emergency supply of prescription and non-prescription medications on hand, and plan for medications, like insulin, that require refrigeration.
- Fully charge personal medical devices and ensure a backup power source is available for electrically powered medical equipment.
- Check in with your neighbors, especially the elderly and those with disabilities.
- Keep your pets’ needs in mind when obtaining supplies.
If you are energy dependent, please contact your provider for guidance.
