Red Flag Warning Issued for Central and Southern Alabama Due to Critical Fire Weather Conditions

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a Red Flag Warning for the southern half of Central Alabama. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic area including the following Alabama counties:

• Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Shelby, Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Marengo, Dallas, Autauga, Lowndes, Elmore, Montgomery, Macon, Bullock, Lee, Russell, Pike, and Barbour.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are strongly advised to avoid all outdoor burning. The dry air mass and windy conditions mean that any fires that start could spread rapidly and exhibit extreme behavior. Additionally, the National Weather Service warns that any current wildfires could worsen significantly under these conditions. Residents should remain vigilant and prepare for potential fire hazards.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: Northwest winds between 10 to 15 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels are forecast to drop as low as 22 percent.
• Hazards: The combination of dry air and wind will result in critical fire weather conditions.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective immediately and will remain in place until 6:00 PM CST this evening, February 23, 2026. The onset of the most critical conditions is expected to begin at 11:00 AM CST.