Strong winds from coast-to-coast storm fuel wildfires, power outages and trigger evacuations across Rockies
The Office of Emergency Management in Yuma County, Colorado, said multiple fires broke out Wednesday night, triggering evacuations. Officials said roughly 40,000 acres have been scorched.
South Dakota wildfire fueled by powerful wind gusts from coast-to-coast storm
Strong winds from a coast-to-coast storm helped fuel the spread of a wildfire in Pennington County, South Dakota, triggering evacuations.
Hurricane-force wind gusts from a powerful coast-to-coast storm helped fuel wildfires and smaller bush fires across South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado Wednesday, as the region braces for more fire weather conditions.
The FOX Forecast Center said winds gusted up to 70 mph in the Pennington County, South Dakota region, where the Greyhound Fire sparked and grew to roughly 200 acres.
COAST-TO-COAST STORM CAUSES TRAVEL ISSUES DUE TO HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS, HEAVY RAIN ACROSS NORTHWEST
Greyhound Fire burns in Pennington County, South Dakota on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.
(Pennington County Sheriff's Office,/Facebook / FOX Weather)
The fire is still burning near State Highway 40 between Keystone and Hayward, according to Pennington County officials.
TWO KIDS WAITING FOR THE BUS CRITICALLY INJURED DUE TO STRONG WINDS IN IDAHO
The highway was shut down for hours and people living nearby were encouraged to evacuate. Those restrictions were lifted late Wednesday.
The Greyhound Fire in South Dakota spans 200 acres.
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
The county reported that high winds brought down numerous trees and power lines early Thursday, as strong wind gusts persisted.
The Rapid City Fire Department said it contained a 2-acre brush fire earlier Wednesday.
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People in the Winchester Hills area of Cheyenne, Wyoming, were evacuated due to a grass fire Wednesday. The fire was contained later that evening and people were allowed to return home, according to the Laramie County Sheriff's Office.
The FOX Forecast Center said winds gusted up to 75 mph in the area.
ARVADA, CO- DECEMBER 17: Dust and debris blow through the Leyden Rock subdivision during a strong windstorm in Arvada, Colo., on Dec. 17, 2025.
((Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Office of Emergency Management in Yuma County, Colorado, said multiple fires broke out Wednesday night, triggering evacuations.
Officials said that roughly 40,000 acres have been scorched. No injuries have been reported.
COLORADO OFFICIALS IMPLEMENT A PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF DUE TO FIRE RISK FROM STRONG WINDS
Firefighters respond to small wildfire in Evergreen, Colorado on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.
(FOX Weather)
The fire department in Evergreen, Colorado reported at least four electrical hazards related to trees hitting power lines during the windstorm.
Local power utilities reported widespread outages due to the high winds.
More than 100,000 customers were without power across the state early Thursday, according to PowerOutage.com.
(FOX Weather)
Xcel Energy implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) across parts of the Front Range Wednesday ahead of the windstorm.
A PSPS is a proactive measure where utility companies intentionally turn off electricity to prevent downed power lines from sparking wildfires.
The utility announced that it is considering another PSPS on Friday.
High Wind and Fire Weather Warnings will remain across the Intermountain West Thursday as dry air rushes in to fill the space behind the departing coast-to-coast storm.
Check for updates on this developing story.