Red Flag Warning Issued for Hall, Childress, Cottle, and King Counties Through Thursday Evening
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the southern Texas Panhandle and Rolling Plains as high winds and low humidity create critical fire conditions.
Alert Details
A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Lubbock, TX. The alert is currently in effect and signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the following counties in Texas:
- Hall
- Childress
- Cottle
- King
This geographic scope includes the far southern Texas Panhandle, the South Plains, and western portions of the Rolling Plains.
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas are strongly discouraged from any outdoor burning. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop under these conditions can spread rapidly. Residents should prepare for hazardous fire conditions and monitor local updates.
Expected Conditions
- Wind: West-northwest winds between 30 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph.
- Humidity: Relative humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 10 percent.
- Fuels: Vegetation and other fuels in the region are currently dry, increasing the risk of ignition and spread.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning is effective immediately as of 12:24 PM CST, February 19. The alert is scheduled to expire at 7:00 PM CST this evening.
Source: NOAA Official Notice
Related Articles
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Central Coles County, Illinois
NOAA · February 23, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Boone, Lincoln, Logan, and Wayne Counties in West Virginia
NOAA · February 23, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Clark and Cumberland Counties in East Central Illinois
NOAA · February 23, 2026