Red Flag Warning Issued for Southeast Wyoming and Nebraska Panhandle Through Monday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Red Flag Warning for much of southeast Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or imminent due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic area including:

• Nebraska: Pine Ridge, Nebraska National Forest, Box Butte, South Sioux, Niobrara River, Lower North Platte River Basin, Scottsbluff National Monument, Lodgepole Creek, and the Southern Nebraska Panhandle.
• Wyoming: Niobrara, Lower Elevations of Converse, Thunder Basin National Grassland, Middle North Platte River Basin, Niobrara and Converse High Plains, Laramie East High Plains, Bordeaux, Chugwater, Wheatland, Goshen, and the Middle-Lower North Platte River Basin.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected zones are advised that outdoor burning is not recommended. Any fires that develop under these conditions will likely spread rapidly. Localized areas with lingering snow cover in far southeastern Wyoming and the southwest Nebraska Panhandle may see a reduced threat due to increased ground moisture, but caution is still urged throughout the region.

Expected Conditions

• Wind: Wind gusts are expected to reach between 35 and 55 mph during the afternoon hours.
• Humidity: Relative humidity levels will drop to between 13 and 20 percent.
• Fire Behavior: The combination of high winds and low humidity can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is officially in effect from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM MDT on Monday, March 9, 2026. The alert was issued by the NWS Cheyenne office on the morning of March 8.