Red Flag Warning Issued for Southeast Wyoming and Southern Nebraska Panhandle Through Saturday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WY, has issued a Red Flag Warning for several fire weather zones in southeast Wyoming and the southern Nebraska Panhandle. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will develop shortly.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions and fire weather zones (430, 431, 432, 433, 436, and 437):

• Lower North Platte River Basin and Scottsbluff National Monument
• Lodgepole Creek and the Southern Nebraska Panhandle
• Laramie Foothills and High Plains
• Laramie East High Plains
• Bordeaux, Chugwater, and Wheatland
• Goshen and the Middle-Lower North Platte River Basin

The most critical fire weather conditions are expected along the Interstate 80 corridor east of the Laramie Range into the southern Nebraska Panhandle.

What You Should Do

Outdoor burning is not recommended during this period. Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution, as any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. The combination of environmental factors can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Residents should prepare for potential fire hazards and monitor local conditions.

Expected Conditions

• Wind: West to northwest winds of 20 to 25 MPH are expected, with gusts reaching between 30 and 40 MPH.
• Humidity: Relative humidity levels will drop to between 10 and 15 percent.
• Recovery: Poor overnight humidity recoveries are expected on Friday night.
• Hazards: The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create a high risk for rapid fire growth.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 5:00 PM MST on Saturday, February 28, 2026.