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Winds Ease After Red Flag Day in Colorado as Xcel Activates Safety Settings, Cancels Planned Shutoffs

More sensitive powerline controls reduced ignition risk, causing localized outages during safety inspections.

Overview

  • Red Flag Warnings covered the Denver metro, Front Range and Eastern Plains through 6 p.m. Monday, with gusts up to 50–55 mph and humidity as low as 12–15 percent.
  • Xcel Energy evaluated Public Safety Power Shutoffs for parts of Adams, Boulder, Jefferson and eastern Denver counties, then decided against them after updated wind forecasts.
  • Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings remained active, automatically tripping lines on detected faults and extending restoration times until crews completed visual patrols.
  • Hundreds of customers experienced unplanned outages during peak winds as utilities staged crews, while Denver International Airport reported normal operations.
  • NWS offices also issued Monday Red Flag Warnings for parts of Kansas and southern/eastern Colorado and said elevated fire concerns will shift toward Texas on Tuesday.