Red Flag Warning Issued for Portions of Missouri and Illinois Through Friday Evening

Alert Details

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in St. Louis, MO. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly, posing a significant risk for fire hazards.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad region across two states:

• Illinois Counties: Greene, Macoupin, Adams, Brown, Pike, Calhoun, Jersey, and Madison.
• Missouri Counties: Knox, Lewis, Shelby, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, Pike, Boone, Audrain, Moniteau, Cole, Osage, Callaway, Montgomery, Lincoln, Gasconade, Warren, St. Charles, Franklin, St. Louis, and St. Louis City.

What You Should Do

Residents and officials are advised to take the following precautions:

• Outdoor burning is not recommended under these conditions.
• Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and become difficult to control.
• Please advise appropriate officials or fire crews in the field regarding this warning.
• Exercise extreme caution with any potential ignition sources.

Expected Conditions

The National Weather Service cites a combination of strong winds and low moisture levels as the primary hazards:

• Winds: West winds between 10 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching up to 35 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Humidity levels are expected to drop to between 21 and 25 percent.
• Impacts: The combination of dry air and gusty winds means that any fire starts will exhibit rapid growth and spread.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective immediately and will remain in place until 6:00 PM CST this evening, February 27, 2026.