Red Flag Warning Issued for Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles Due to High Winds and Low Humidity

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. This alert is issued when critical fire weather conditions are occurring or are imminent, driven by a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad region across two states, including:

• Oklahoma Panhandle: Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver counties.
• Texas Panhandle: Dallam, Sherman, Hansford, Ochiltree, Lipscomb, Hartley, Moore, Hutchinson, Roberts, Hemphill, Oldham, Potter, Carson, Gray, Wheeler, Deaf Smith, Randall, Armstrong, Donley, and Collingsworth counties, as well as Palo Duro Canyon.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are strongly advised to avoid any activities that promote open flames or sparks. Outdoor burning is not recommended under these conditions. Because any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly, residents should remain vigilant and prepare for potential fire hazards.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: Southwest winds between 30 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching up to 65 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 14 percent.
• Temperatures: Highs are forecast in the 70s to low 80s.
• Fire Environment: The NWS classifies the fire environment at a 7 out of 10, with fuels in the 70th-89th percentile.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective from 10:00 AM CST on Tuesday, February 17, through 8:00 PM CST that evening. This warning replaces the previously issued Fire Weather Watch.