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

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a Red Flag Warning (NWS Alert Code: FWW) for the western and central combined Panhandles. This alert signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or imminent due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following regions:

• Oklahoma: Cimarron and Texas counties.
• Texas: Dallam, Sherman, Hansford, Ochiltree, Hartley, Moore, Hutchinson, Roberts, Oldham, Potter, Carson, Deaf Smith, and Randall counties.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to avoid any activities that promote open flames or sparks. Outdoor burning is strictly not recommended, as any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. The NWS recommends that residents prepare for hazardous fire conditions.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: Southwest winds between 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 7 percent.
• Temperatures: Highs in the upper 70s.
• Fire Environment: The fire environment is rated at a 6 out of 10, with weather conditions rated at a 3 out of 5 for criticality.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 12:00 PM (noon) to 9:00 PM CST on Sunday, March 8, 2026.