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By Hollie Silverman
News Editor
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Authorities ordered evacuations in parts of Colorado Wednesday as wind-driven wildfires flared along the Front Range and Eastern Plains.
The latest blazes included a grass fire in Thornton that forced neighborhood evacuations and a separate wildfire that triggered evacuation orders for Padroni in Logan County, officials and local outlets said.
The Colorado Office of Emergency Management (COEM) said evacuation orders were issued for the town of Padroni and surrounding areas in Logan County, urging residents to leave immediately.
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Why It Matters
The evacuations underscored elevated fire danger across Colorado amid gusty winds and dry fuels, conditions that the National Weather Service (NWS) identified as critical during red flag warnings.
The rapid containment in Thornton limited impacts near densely populated suburbs north of Denver, while the Logan County orders reflected ongoing risks on the Eastern Plains.
What To Know
A fire in Thornton prompted evacuations in some neighborhoods and at Pinnacle High School and led officials to close Interstate 25 in both directions before reopening after containment, according to local reporting, which noted the city’s fire department reached full containment at 2:07 p.m. local time.
Five people were injured in the grass fire in Thornton, local news outlet KDVR reported, citing Thornton Fire Department Chief Steve Kelley.
He said that four of those injured were firefighters while another was a citizen. He did not give further information on the severity of the nature of the injuries.
COEM said evacuation orders were issued for the town of Padroni and nearby areas in Logan County, urging residents to leave immediately because they were in the path of the fire.
On Tuesday, a separate wildfire south of Franktown in Douglas County burned 1,081 acres before crews achieved full containment by late afternoon, reflecting how winds and dry fuels can accelerate spread.
What Is a Red Flag Warning?
The NWS said a red flag warning is issued when “critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly,” typically combining strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures. Residents are urged to avoid activities that could spark fires and to follow local officials’ guidance.
What People Are Saying
COEM, in a post on X Wednesday: “Evacuation Orders for Logan County Evacuation orders have been issued for the town of Padroni and the surrounding area. If you are in this area, please leave immediately you are in the path of the fire.”
What Happens Next
Officials planned to continue monitoring for flare-ups and changes in fire behavior as winds and dry conditions persisted, and urged residents to follow local emergency alerts for potential new evacuation instructions.
Residents in wildfire-prone areas are advised to prepare go-bags, review evacuation routes and rely on official channels for real-time instructions rather than third-party maps.
Update 2/25/26 6:34 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with more information.
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