Red Flag Warning Issued for Southern Iowa Counties Through Friday Evening

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of southern Iowa. This alert signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent, driven by a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures that can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the following counties in southern Iowa:

• Union
• Clarke
• Lucas
• Taylor
• Ringgold
• Decatur

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are strongly advised to avoid outdoor burning. Any fires that develop under these conditions will likely spread rapidly and become difficult to control. The National Weather Service recommends that residents prepare for these hazardous conditions immediately.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions on Friday are expected to include:

• Winds: Sustained west to northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts ranging from 30 to 35 mph.
• Humidity: Very low relative humidity levels between 20% and 30%.
• Fuel: Cured fuels are present, which increases the risk of fast fire spread.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is officially in effect from 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST on Friday, February 27, 2026. The alert was originally issued at 9:40 PM CST on February 26.