Red Flag Warning Issued for Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles Due to Critical Fire Conditions

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. This alert, which replaces the previous Fire Weather Watch, indicates that critical fire weather conditions are expected due to a combination of strong winds and low relative humidity.

Affected Areas

The following geographic regions are included in the warning area:

• Oklahoma: Cimarron County.
• Texas: Dallam, Sherman, Hartley, Moore, Hutchinson, Oldham, Potter, Carson, Deaf Smith, Randall, and Armstrong counties, including Palo Duro Canyon.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are urged to avoid activities that promote open flames and sparks. Outdoor burning is not recommended, as any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Residents should remain prepared and monitor local conditions for potential fire growth.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: South winds ranging from 25 to 35 mph, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 8 percent.
• Temperatures: Forecasted to be in the lower 40s.
• Fire Environment: The fire environment is rated at 5 out of 10, with fuel (ERC) levels in the 70th-89th percentile.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST on Friday, February 20, 2026.