Red Flag Warning Issued for Southeastern Iowa Counties Through Friday Evening

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of southeastern Iowa. This alert, which replaces the previous Fire Weather Watch, indicates that critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts the following counties in southeastern Iowa:

• Monroe
• Wapello
• Wayne
• Appanoose
• Davis

What You Should Do

Outdoor burning is not recommended during this period. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. Residents should be aware that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. The NWS advises residents to prepare for extreme fire behavior.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions are forecast to reach critical thresholds for fire safety:

• Winds: Sustained west to northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching 30 to 35 mph.
• Humidity: Relative humidity levels are expected to drop to between 20% and 30%.
• Fuels: The presence of cured fuels combined with these atmospheric conditions will facilitate very fast fire spread.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective from 12:00 PM (noon) CST on Friday, February 27, 2026. The alert is scheduled to remain in effect until 6:00 PM CST Friday evening.