Red Flag Warning Issued for Portions of Central Missouri and Southwest Illinois

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of southwest Illinois and central and east-central Missouri. This alert signifies that critical fire weather conditions are expected, creating a high risk for rapid fire spread.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the following geographic regions:

• Illinois Counties: Greene, Macoupin, Calhoun, Jersey, and Madison.
• Missouri Counties: Boone, Moniteau, Cole, Osage, Callaway, Montgomery, Lincoln, Gasconade, Warren, St. Charles, Franklin, St. Louis, and St. Louis City.

What You Should Do

Residents are strongly advised that outdoor burning is not recommended during this period. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly due to the combination of dry air and strong winds. Local officials and fire crews in the field should be notified of these conditions to ensure immediate response capabilities.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: Southwest winds between 15 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching up to 30 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop to between 20 and 25 percent.
• Temperatures: Warm conditions are forecast, with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective starting at 12:00 PM CST today, February 27, 2026. The alert is currently scheduled to expire at 6:00 PM CST this evening.