Red Flag Warning Issued for Livingston County, Illinois Due to Critical Fire Conditions

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Red Flag Warning for Livingston County. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures is expected to contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically affects the following geographic region:

• Livingston County, Illinois (UGC: ILZ032)

What You Should Do

Residents are advised that outdoor burning is not recommended. Any fire that develops under these conditions will catch and spread quickly. Residents should prepare for critical fire weather and exercise extreme caution with any potential ignition sources.

Expected Conditions

According to the National Weather Service, the following conditions are expected during the warning period:

• Winds: Southwest winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 35 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels are forecast to drop as low as 17 to 20 percent.
• Impacts: High winds and low humidity will facilitate the rapid spread of any fires that ignite.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective during the following window:

• Onset: 10:00 AM CST, Wednesday, February 18, 2026
• Expires: 8:00 PM CST, Wednesday, February 18, 2026