Red Flag Warning Issued for Iroquois and Ford Counties Through Wednesday Evening

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is currently in effect to address critical fire weather conditions. The alert was issued by the NWS Chicago IL office and remains active through this evening.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the following geographic regions in Illinois:

• Iroquois County
• Ford County

What You Should Do

Residents are advised that outdoor burning is not recommended at this time. A Red Flag Warning signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent. Because a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior, any fire that develops will likely catch and spread quickly. Residents should prepare for hazardous conditions and monitor local updates.

Expected Conditions

Weather parameters contributing to this warning include:

• Winds: Southwest winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 19 percent.
• Fire Behavior: The environment is conducive to rapid fire spread and extreme behavior if an ignition occurs.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 8:00 PM CST this evening, February 18, 2026.