Red Flag Warning Issued for Northwestern Iowa Counties Through Friday Evening

Alert Details

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Des Moines, IA. This alert signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent due to a combination of environmental factors.

Affected Areas

The warning covers portions of northwest to north-central Iowa, specifically including the following counties:

• Emmet
• Kossuth
• Winnebago
• Palo Alto
• Pocahontas
• Humboldt
• Sac

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are strongly advised that outdoor burning is not recommended. A Red Flag Warning means that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Residents should prepare for extreme fire behavior and monitor local conditions closely.

Expected Conditions

Critical fire weather is being driven by the following conditions:

• Wind: Sustained west to northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching between 30 and 35 mph.
• Humidity: Relative humidity levels are expected to drop to between 20% and 30%.
• Fuel: Cured fuels are present, which, when combined with strong winds and low humidity, lead to conditions conducive for very fast fire spread.

Timeline

The alert is effective immediately as of 1:31 PM CST on February 27, 2026, and is scheduled to expire at 6:00 PM CST this evening.