As strong winds ripped across El Paso County Monday, increasing fire danger and pulling down trees and power lines in their wake, Pikes Peak regional emergency officials urged residents to take diligent precautions and report emergencies to help mitigate damage and keep communities safe.

“Be vigilant, be prepared, share the responsibility with us. If you see something, say something,” Colorado Springs Fire Department spokeswoman Ashley Franco said at a 10 a.m. press conference Monday morning to address the regional emergency response.

The National Weather Service in Pueblo issued a hazardous weather outlook for El Paso County, the Colorado Springs area and portions of Teller County and Pikes Peak.

Strong, damaging winds were at their worst over Monday’s early morning hours, blowing 80 to 100 mph, Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management Executive Director Andrew Notbohm said. Sustained winds blowing about 50 to 60 mph are expected throughout Monday and into Tuesday, he said.

“These high winds can create unpredictable situations, so be prepared for anything,” he said.

Franco, Notbohm and representatives from the Colorado Springs Police Department and Colorado Springs Utilities asked residents to stay alert, avoid traveling, not to use open flames outdoors, and to report downed power lines, downed trees, power outages and other emergencies through the appropriate channels.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department has not currently issued any burn bans or burn restrictions, but residents should not burn open flames outdoors during the high wind event, Franco said.

“It is incredibly important to understand how fast an open flame can spread and that is why we are asking people to be really diligent,” Franco said.

Residents should call 911 for life-threatening emergencies only — related to the high winds or not, but including fires and downed power lines, Colorado Springs Police Department spokesman Ira Cronin said.

People should keep updated on weather conditions and can sign up for emergency alerts on Peak Alerts, Franco said. To log in to your account or sign up, visit elpasoteller911.org/246/Peak-Alerts.

Avoid travel

Residents should stay indoors and avoid travel if possible, especially in high-profile vehicles, officials said. Fewer vehicles on the road allows responding emergency crews to stay safe as they address wind-related situations and emergencies, they said.

Those who must travel should maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel at all times, prepare for sudden shifts in wind speed or direction, and watch out for possible flying debris, according to a joint news release Monday from Colorado Springs, El Paso County and the regional emergency management office.

Traffic intersections may be without power, officials said. Travelers should treat all darkened intersections as four-way stops.

People should avoid being outdoors in forested areas, around trees or branches and should remain in lower levels of their homes during the windstorm, taking care to avoid windows, according to the news release.

Residents should also wait until winds have died down over the next few days before attempting to clean up their yards and surrounding areas.

Power lines or power outages

Officials urge residents to be on the lookout for fallen power lines or trees that have come into contact with a power line.

If a fallen tree or debris is touching a power line, stay away and do not touch the tree or the power line, officials said. Immediately contact your utility provider

A spokesperson with CSU said Monday afternoon that about three thousand people were still without power, concentrated along the Highway 115 corridor to the South of Colorado Springs and in the Broadmoor Area.

With wind gusts continuing through the evening, the spokesperson said some repairs might have to wait until Tuesday since crews cannot operate bucket trucks in high winds.

CSU customers with a mast connection on their rooflines are encouraged to inspect for damage from the ground. Utilities said that the mast, which connects users to an overhead service line, are homeowner’s responsibility and might need to be repaired by an electrician. More information can be found here.

• Colorado Springs Utilities: csu.org/Pages/StormCenter.aspx or 719-448-4800 or dial 911.

To reduce call volume and expedite emergency-related calls during the high wind event, Utilities asks customers to use the agency’s online outage map at csu.org for electric outage information and status updates. Please do not call unless reporting a downed electric line, a tree into an electric line, or some other utilities-related emergency that poses a safety risk, officials said.

• Mountain View Electric: mvea.coop/outage-center/outage-reporting or 800-388-9881.

• City of Fountain Utilities: 719-322-2010.

• Black Hills Energy: blackhillsenergy.com/outages or 888-890-5554.

Visit the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management website at pproem.com/wind for more tips to stay safe around downed power lines.

Visit ready.gov/power-outages for more tips on what to do during a power outage.

Downed trees

For non-emergency assistance with downed trees blocking roadways, residents in Colorado Springs city limits can call 719-385-ROAD (7623) or use the city’s GoCOS! mobile app, coloradosprings.gov/gocos.

To report downed street trees or downed trees that were planted within public rights of way, visit coloradosprings.gov/tree.

Residents outside city limits who need non-emergency assistance with trees or debris blocking roadways should call 719-520-6460 or use El Paso County’s EPC Citizen Connect app. People can also report online at citizenconnect.elpasoco.com.

Downed trees on private property are the responsibility of the owner. Contact your home insurance or a private tree removal company, officials said.

Neither Colorado Springs nor El Paso County respond to calls about trees on private property.

If there is a threat to life or a power line is involved, call 911.

Colorado Springs Airport flight information

For information about flight status for the Colorado Springs Airport, visit flycos.com or contact the individual airline.