Red Flag Warning Issued for Southwest Coastal Plains of Puerto Rico

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in San Juan has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Southwest Coastal Plains. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will develop shortly. The warning was issued following observations that the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) remains above critical fire weather thresholds, specifically measured at 628 in Cabo Rojo.

Affected Areas

The warning covers Fire Weather Zone 027, which includes:

• Southwest Coastal Plains
• Mona Island

What You Should Do

Residents and visitors in the affected areas are advised that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Residents should remain vigilant and prepare for hazardous conditions.

Expected Conditions

A drier air mass is expected to filter from the east throughout the day, creating breezy to windy conditions. Expected meteorological factors include:

• Winds: East to east-southeast winds between 16 and 23 mph, with stronger gusts reaching approximately 28 mph due to the sea breeze.
• Humidity: Relative humidity (RH) values are forecast to drop to around 45% (mid to upper 40s).
• Fire Risk: High KBDI values and dry air increase the potential for rapid fire growth.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective from 11:00 AM AST this morning, February 26, until 5:00 PM AST this afternoon. The most critical conditions are expected to occur between mid-morning and the early afternoon hours.