(SOUTHERN COLORADO) —Most of the plains are under a Red Flag and High Wind Warning until the afternoon hours of Monday, Dec. 30.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has officially issued both warnings for multiple counties, stretching all the way from Pueblo to Fort Collins, including the Southern Plains. Due to this, the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is warning individuals of the weather conditions, and bringing awareness that both warnings can be dangerous when mixed together.

“The conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread,” CSFD wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Dry fuels and lack of moisture recently will not help.”

CSFD said it had already responded to a ‘number of grass fires’ throughout the weekend of Friday, Dec. 27 to Sunday, Dec. 29, including one on South Cheyenne Canyon Road pictured below.

On Monday, Dec. 30, CSFD also responded to a brush fire in Bear Creek Park and was able to keep it to a 20 by 30 feet area. In the post, it urged and reminded individuals to “not burn outside at all today” during these conditions.

According to CSFD, the City will experience wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour. A Red Flag Warning is called when there are warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds which cause an increased risk of fire danger.

“Today’s weather can cause rapid fire growth as well as damaging winds,” CSFD wrote. “Please Share the Responsibility and be fire-safe.

The Red Flag Warning will be in effect until 6 p.m. and the High Wind Warning will be in effect until 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30.