Red Flag Warning Issued for Sedgwick and Phillips Counties; Critical Fire Weather Expected
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of the eastern Colorado Plains due to high winds and low humidity that could lead to rapid wildfire spread.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for northeast Colorado. This alert signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures is expected to contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Affected Areas
The warning and subsequent watch affect the following regions in the eastern Colorado Plains:
- Counties: Sedgwick County and Phillips County
- Fire Weather Zones: 250 and 251
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas should take immediate precautions to prevent wildfire ignition:
- Avoid outdoor burning: All open flames and controlled burns should be postponed.
- Prevent sparks: Avoid any activity that may produce a spark, including the use of power tools or machinery in dry vegetation.
- Stay informed: Listen for later forecasts and potential updates to the warning status.
Expected Conditions
Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate over the coming days:
- Sunday Conditions: Southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Relative humidity is expected to drop as low as 12 percent.
- Tuesday Conditions: Stronger, more widespread westerly winds are forecast at 30 to 40 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 55 to 65 mph. Humidity will remain as low as 12 percent.
- General Hazards: Recent dry conditions and above-normal temperatures will make the environment favorable for rapid fire spread.
Timeline
- Red Flag Warning: Effective from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
- Fire Weather Watch: Effective from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026.
Source: NOAA Official Notice