National Weather ServiceIllinoisFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Illinois
The National Weather Service issued 5 fire weather watches for Illinois in 2025 and 3 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 33rd most of any state. 2026 through September: 6, 260% above the average of 2 for those months in 2008-2025. Ford was covered most often (16 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Illinois get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Illinois. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 6 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Illinois get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Illinois?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | 16 | 4 | May 16, 2025 |
| Iroquois | 16 | 4 | May 16, 2025 |
| Grundy | 15 | 6 | February 18, 2026 |
| Kankakee | 15 | 4 | May 16, 2025 |
| La Salle | 15 | 7 | February 18, 2026 |
| Livingston | 15 | 5 | May 16, 2025 |
| Will | 15 | 6 | February 18, 2026 |
| Kendall | 14 | 6 | February 18, 2026 |
| De Kalb | 12 | 6 | February 18, 2026 |
| Lee | 12 | 6 | February 18, 2026 |
| Cook | 11 | 5 | February 18, 2026 |
| DuPage | 11 | 5 | February 18, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Illinois.