Red Flag Warning Issued for Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma Through Tuesday Evening

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Tulsa has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas. This alert signifies that a dangerous combination of weather conditions and dry vegetation is expected, which favors the rapid growth and spread of any wildfires.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following counties:

• Arkansas: Benton, Carroll, Washington, and Madison counties.
• Oklahoma: Cherokee, Adair, Muskogee, and McIntosh counties.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are strongly advised to avoid all outdoor burning. Any fires that develop under these conditions will likely spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Local officials recommend preparing for potential fire hazards and monitoring local weather updates.

Expected Conditions

• Wind: South-southwest winds between 15 to 25 mph are expected, with gusts reaching 30 to 40 mph.
• Humidity: Relative humidity levels will drop to between 15 and 25 percent.
• Temperature: Highs are forecast in the mid-60s to lower 70s.
• Impacts: The combination of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures will facilitate the rapid spread of any fires that ignite.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is currently in effect and will remain active until 8:00 PM CST this evening, February 24, 2026.