Red Flag Warning Issued for Merrick, Hamilton, and Clay Counties in Nebraska

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Hastings has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity. This alert is issued by the NWS Hastings NE office and remains in effect until 8:00 PM CDT this evening.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following counties in Nebraska:

• Merrick
• Hamilton
• Clay

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised that outdoor burning is not recommended. A Red Flag Warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fire that develops under these conditions will spread quickly.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: Southwest winds between 15 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 15 to 20 percent.
• Impacts: High potential for rapid fire growth and extreme behavior.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 2:58 PM CDT on March 8, 2026, and is scheduled to expire at 8:00 PM CDT this evening.