Strong winds create problems in southern Colorado

Mother Nature unleashed strong winds in southern Colorado Thursday.

San Isabel Electric responded to power outage calls all day.

A company spokesperson said close to a thousand customers are without power in Rye, La Veta, Cuchara, San Isabel, Colorado City and Beulah.

She also said the strong winds damaging trees and power lines caused the outages. There isn’t an estimated time frame on when the power will be turned on, but the spokesperson said crews will work until 11 p.m. if the outages last that long.

The Pueblo West Fire Department also prepared for the red-flag warning day.

The department had extra crews to handle the brush fire calls.

Fire crews responded to at least three calls, including a four-acre fire that threatened two homes.

Fire Chief Brian Caserta said Pueblo West is paying the price for last year’s record rains.

“The vegetation has grown significantly during this time period. As you know, we have not seen a lot of snowfall this winter as we thought we were going to anticipate and because of that the conditions are ripe for an increase in fire danger,” he said.

Pueblo County also issued a burn ban because of the red-flag warning.