Red Flag Warning Issued for East Central Florida: High Fire Danger Through Monday Evening

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Melbourne, FL, has issued a Red Flag Warning for East Central Florida. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent due to a combination of strong winds and low relative humidity.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad region including the following counties:

• Volusia (Inland and Coastal)
• Lake (Northern and Southern)
• Orange
• Seminole
• Osceola
• Brevard (Inland, Mainland, and Barrier Islands)
• Okeechobee
• Indian River (Inland and Coastal)
• St. Lucie (Inland and Coastal)
• Martin (Inland and Coastal)

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to exercise extreme caution. Outdoor burning is not recommended under these conditions. A Red Flag Warning means that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly due to the environmental conditions. Residents should prepare for potential fire hazards and monitor local updates.

Expected Conditions

• Wind: Northwest winds between 15 to 20 mph are expected, with gusts reaching between 25 to 35 mph.
• Humidity: Relative humidity levels are forecast to drop to between 20 and 30 percent.
• Fire Behavior: The combination of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of spread.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective from 9:00 AM EST on Monday, February 23, 2026. The alert is scheduled to expire at 7:00 PM EST this evening.