National Weather ServiceAlaskaRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in Alaska
The National Weather Service issued 18 red flag warnings for Alaska in 2025 and 24 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 21st most of any state. 2026 through September: 27, 14% above the average of 24 for those months in 2008-2025. Deltana and Tanana Flats was covered most often (125 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does Alaska get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of Alaska. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 27 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2015 | 37 |
| 2014 | 53 |
| 2013 | 39 |
| 2012 | 21 |
| 2011 | 32 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2009 | 39 |
| 2008 | 33 |
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 Alaska 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 Alaska?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deltana and Tanana Flats | 125 | 10 | August 7, 2023 |
| Eastern Alaska Range | 103 | 6 | August 5, 2023 |
| Copper River Basin | 84 | 5 | June 22, 2024 |
| Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands | 75 | 6 | August 10, 2023 |
| Middle Tanana Valley | 73 | 5 | August 10, 2023 |
| Central Interior | 72 | 12 | June 20, 2026 |
| Denali | 63 | 4 | August 5, 2023 |
| Matanuska Valley | 61 | 2 | June 5, 2023 |
| Upper Tanana Valley and the Fortymile Country | 50 | 3 | July 7, 2023 |
| Upper Koyukuk Valley | 45 | 13 | July 11, 2026 |
| Upper Kuskokwim Valley | 36 | 6 | June 26, 2026 |
| Susitna Valley | 29 | 1 | June 22, 2024 |
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.
The latest red flag warnings for Alaska in AreaZine's record
NWS FairbanksWarningAugust 17, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Upper Tanana Valley, AK
Expired 7:00 p.m. AKDT, August 17, 2026
NWS FairbanksWarningJuly 11, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Upper Koyukuk Valley and Dalton Highway Summits, AK
Expired 11:00 p.m. AKDT, July 11, 2026
NWS AnchorageWarningJuly 10, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Central Copper Valley, Southern Copper Valley and McCarthy, AK
Expired 7:00 p.m. AKDT, July 11, 2026
NWS FairbanksWarningJuly 8, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Upper Koyukuk Valley, AK
Expired 12:00 a.m. AKDT, July 9, 2026
NWS FairbanksWarningJuly 8, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Middle Yukon Valley, AK
Expired 12:00 a.m. AKDT, July 9, 2026
NWS FairbanksWarningJuly 6, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Interior Seward Peninsula and Middle Yukon Valley, AK
Expired 12:00 a.m. AKDT, July 8, 2026
NWS FairbanksWarningJune 26, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Lower Yukon River, Middle Yukon Valley, Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys and 1 more, AK
Expired 3:00 a.m. AKDT, June 27, 2026
NWS FairbanksWarningJune 26, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Yukon Flats and Fortymile Country, AK
Expired 12:00 a.m. AKDT, June 27, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Alaska.