Red Flag Warning Issued for North Central Illinois Counties Including Peoria and McLean

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a Red Flag Warning for North Central Illinois. This alert signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent. The warning was issued due to a combination of strong winds and low relative humidity.

Affected Areas

The following counties in Illinois are under the warning:

• Peoria
• Woodford
• Fulton
• Tazewell
• McLean
• Mason

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised that any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Residents should prepare for hazardous fire conditions.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: Southwest winds between 10 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching up to 30 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 17 percent.
• 10 Hour Fuels: Moisture levels are reported at less than 8 percent.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10:00 AM CST this morning, February 18, until 8:00 PM CST this evening.