Red Flag Warning Issued for Central Nebraska Counties; Critical Fire Conditions Expected Sunday
Weather Alerts high NOAA · · Central Nebraska
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Valley, Sherman, Dawson, Gosper, and Furnas counties due to high winds and low humidity.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Hastings has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity. This alert, classified with a severity level of ‘Severe,’ indicates that critical fire weather conditions are imminent or occurring in the region.
Affected Areas
The following Nebraska counties are included in this warning:
- Valley
- Sherman
- Dawson
- Gosper
- Furnas
What You Should Do
Residents in the warning area should exercise extreme caution:
- Outdoor burning is not recommended. Any fire that develops under these conditions will spread quickly.
- Prepare for extreme fire behavior. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can lead to rapid fire growth.
Expected Conditions
Specific weather parameters for the warning period include:
- Winds: Southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching between 25 and 30 mph.
- Relative Humidity: Humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 15 to 20 percent.
- Impacts: Critical fire weather conditions will make fire control difficult if ignitions occur.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning is effective during the following window:
- Onset: 12:00 PM CST on Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Expiration: 6:00 PM CST on Sunday, February 15, 2026
Source: NOAA Official Notice