Red Flag Warning Issued for Portions of Iowa and Northeast Nebraska Through Wednesday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley NE has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent, creating a high risk for extreme fire behavior.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the following regions:

• Iowa Counties: Monona, Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, and Montgomery.
• Nebraska Counties: Cedar, Thurston, Burt, and Washington.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Residents should prepare for critical fire conditions and exercise extreme caution with any potential ignition sources.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: West winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 45 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 15 percent.
• Impacts: The combination of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures will contribute to dangerous fire potential.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM CST on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.