National Weather ServiceIdahoRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in Idaho
The National Weather Service issued 29 red flag warnings for Idaho in 2025 and 37 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 13th most of any state. 2026 through September: 54, 48% above the average of 37 for those months in 2008-2025. Lemhi and Lost River Range/Challis NF was covered most often (208 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does Idaho get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of Idaho. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 54 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2024 | 58 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2022 | 31 |
| 2021 | 53 |
| 2020 | 41 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2015 | 36 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2013 | 51 |
| 2012 | 84 |
| 2011 | 26 |
| 2010 | 30 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2008 | 34 |
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 Idaho 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 Idaho?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemhi and Lost River Range/Challis NF | 208 | 45 | August 22, 2026 |
| Upper Snake River Valley/Idaho Falls BLM | 202 | 50 | September 11, 2026 |
| East Salmon River Mountains/Salmon NF | 166 | 38 | August 22, 2026 |
| Caribou Range/Caribou NF | 164 | 38 | August 13, 2026 |
| Goose Creek and Raft River Valley/Southern Sawtooth NF/Twin Falls BLM south of the Snake River | 135 | 47 | September 12, 2026 |
| Middle Snake River Valley/Twin Falls BLM north of the Snake River | 122 | 34 | August 22, 2026 |
| Sawtooth Range/Northern Sawtooth NF | 113 | 26 | September 1, 2026 |
| Southern Highlands | 104 | 43 | September 12, 2026 |
| Owyhee Mountains | 101 | 40 | September 12, 2026 |
| Centennial Mountains and Snake River Range/Targhee NF | 83 | 23 | August 13, 2026 |
| Northern Boise National Forest | 79 | 14 | September 17, 2026 |
| Eastern Payette National Forest | 78 | 14 | August 22, 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.
The latest red flag warnings for Idaho in AreaZine's record
NWS BoiseWarningSeptember 17, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northern Boise National Forest, Southern Boise/Western Sawtooth NF, including the Camas Prairie, Burns BLM and 3 more, ID and OR
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, September 17, 2026
NWS PocatelloWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Goose Creek and Raft River Valley/Southern Sawtooth NF/Twin Falls BLM south of the Snake River, ID
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, September 12, 2026
NWS BoiseWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Owyhee Mountains and Southern Highlands, ID
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, September 12, 2026
NWS PocatelloWarningSeptember 10, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Upper Snake River Valley/Idaho Falls BLM, ID
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, September 11, 2026
NWS PocatelloWarningSeptember 9, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Upper Snake River Valley/Idaho Falls BLM, ID
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, September 10, 2026
NWS PocatelloWarningAugust 31, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Sawtooth Range/Northern Sawtooth NF, ID
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, September 1, 2026
NWS BoiseWarningAugust 26, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Owyhee Mountains, Burns BLM, Steens Mountain and 1 more, ID and OR
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, August 27, 2026
NWS MissoulaWarningAugust 25, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Palouse/Nezperce Reservation/Hells Canyon Region, ID
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, August 26, 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 Idaho.