Red Flag Warning Issued for North Central and Northeast Kansas Through Tuesday Evening

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Red Flag Warning for North Central and portions of Northeast Kansas. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. The current warning replaces the previous Fire Weather Watch for the region.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the following Fire Weather Zones and counties in Kansas:

• Republic (Zone 008)
• Washington (Zone 009)
• Marshall (Zone 010)
• Cloud (Zone 020)
• Clay (Zone 021)
• Riley (Zone 022)
• Ottawa (Zone 034)
• Dickinson (Zone 035)

What You Should Do

Outdoor burning is not recommended during this period. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Residents should be aware that any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Preparation for potential fire hazards is advised.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions contributing to the fire hazard include:

• Winds: Southwest winds between 20 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 45 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels dropping to between 20 and 25 percent.
• Temperatures: Highs reaching between 75 and 80 degrees.
• Fuels: Dry fuel conditions are present across the affected zones.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective starting at 12:00 PM CST today, February 17, 2026. The warning is scheduled to expire at 9:00 PM CST this evening.