Red Flag Warning Issued for Montague, Young, and Jack Counties in North Texas

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a Red Flag Warning for near-critical to critical fire weather conditions. This alert replaces the previous Fire Weather Watch as conditions have become more certain.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following counties in western North Texas:

• Montague
• Young
• Jack

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are urged to take the following precautions to prevent wildfire ignition:

• Avoid all outdoor burning and welding activities.
• Do not toss lit cigarette butts outside.
• Report any observed wildfires immediately to the nearest fire department or law enforcement office.
• Be prepared for extreme fire behavior due to the combination of dry vegetation and strong winds.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions are expected to reach critical thresholds for fire spread:

• Winds: Westerly winds between 15 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching up to 35 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels dropping as low as 13 percent.
• Temperatures: Highs reaching up to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fire Environment: Fuels are currently in the 70th-89th percentile for dryness, rated 4 out of 5 for susceptibility.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The most critical conditions are expected from late Thursday morning through the early evening hours.