A fast-spreading wildfire has torn through more than 5,000 acres in Eastern Colorado as extreme winds from a powerful winter storm pushed flames toward homes and highways. Firefighters battled gusts reaching 70 mph,

A deadly multi-vehicle pileup and multiple fires are breaking out in the Plains as powerful winds wreak havoc across the region.

Blowing dust created near-zero visibility on I-25 near Pueblo, killing 4 people, while the same powerful windstorm fueled fast-moving wildfires and triggered additional crashes across the Plains

Colorado’s record-low snowpack is already raising concerns about increased wildfire risk and water shortages this summer, even as the mountains are still in the depths of winter. Statewide, the snowpack levels are just 61%

Gusts up to 70 mph in the mountains will create hazardous travel, while low humidity and winds will bring fire danger across drier parts of the state

High winds were fueling the risk of wildfires across the Southwest and the Plains, and an Oklahoma town faced a mandatory evacuation. Officials said the weather had caused a deadly pileup in Colorado.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) went into burn restrictions Tuesday morning.  CSFD provided the following