Red Flag Warning Issued for Yoakum, Terry, Lynn, and Garza Counties in Texas

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Lubbock, TX, has issued a Red Flag Warning for the far southern Texas Panhandle and the South Plains. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will develop shortly. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following geographic regions and counties in Texas:

• Yoakum County
• Terry County
• Lynn County
• Garza County

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to take the following precautions:

• Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
• Be prepared for the possibility of rapid fire spread; any fires that develop can become dangerous quickly.
• Monitor local weather updates and follow instructions from local officials.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions are expected to reach critical thresholds on Friday:

• Wind: Initially southwest at 20 to 30 mph, becoming west at 35 to 45 mph with gusts reaching up to 55 mph.
• Humidity: Relative humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 12 percent.
• Fuels: Vegetation and fuels in the area are currently dry, increasing the risk of ignition.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST on Friday, February 20, 2026.