Deadly Pileup on Colorado Highway as High Winds Fuel Wildfire Risks

Powerful winds across the Southwest and Great Plains prompt warnings of rapidly spreading wildfires and hazardous driving conditions.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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High winds moving across the Southwestern United States and the Great Plains on Tuesday prompted dire warnings from forecasters and local officials that wildfires could break out and spread rapidly. In Colorado, the winds were also blamed for a highway pileup that left at least four people dead on Interstate 25 near Pueblo, with more than 30 vehicles involved in the deadly crash. Authorities called the conditions a 'brownout' caused by dust and dirt that severely limited visibility.

Why it matters

The combination of high winds and low humidity across the region has created an elevated risk of fast-moving wildfires, with officials issuing rare 'particularly dangerous situation' alerts in some areas. The deadly highway pileup in Colorado underscores the hazardous driving conditions caused by the powerful winds.

The details

High-wind warnings were in place in parts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, with each area facing its own particular danger. Around El Paso, Texas, forecasters warned that the wind could kick up dust and limit visibility to a quarter-mile in places. In Kansas, the cities of Ashland and Inglewood were under mandatory evacuations due to a fast-moving wildfire, while Herndon, Kan. was also being evacuated. A portion of Route 50 in Kansas was closed due to a multiple-vehicle crash caused by blowing dust and low visibility.

  • On Tuesday afternoon, at least two fast-moving wildfires had been reported.
  • The Ranger Road fire in Oklahoma has jumped state lines into Kansas and is now estimated to affect 15,000 acres.
  • Wednesday is expected to bring additional fire weather across much of the region, according to the Weather Service.

The players

Bryce Boyer

Director of communications for the Oklahoma Agriculture Department.

Clay Kuhns

An attorney for Clark County, Kansas.

Colorado State Police

Authorities who called the highway conditions a 'brownout' caused by dust and dirt that severely limited visibility.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The deadly pileup on Colorado's Interstate 25 and the rapidly spreading wildfires across the region underscore the severe risks posed by the powerful winds sweeping through the Southwest and Great Plains. Authorities are urging residents to heed warnings and evacuation orders as they work to contain the dangerous conditions.