National Weather Service Issues 'Critical' Warning for 4 States

The National Weather Service issued "critical" fire warnings for four states as dry, windy conditions create a significant risk.

"There's also a critical risk of fire weather, due to warm, dry and windy conditions over portions of northeastern New Mexico, Texas/Oklahoma Panhandles, central Oklahoma and southwest Missouri today," the National Weather Service announced on Thursday, Feb. 19.

Winds up to 60 mph Strike as Fire Warning Emerges for 4 States

Missouri: Much of the state of Missouri is under a red flag warning as low humidity and high winds combine to create critical fire risk. Fire Weather Zones 031, 032, 033, 038, 039, 040, 043, 044, 045, 046, 053, 054, 098, 106, and 107 are all under a red flag warning as southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph hit the area.

New Mexico: A red flag warning and fire weather watch are both in effect for New Mexico as a persistently strong flow aloft, an area of low pressure at the surface over the northeast corner of New Mexico, and very dry fuels over northeast and east central areas. According to the National Weather Service the critical fire weather conditions will reach as far west as the I-25 corridor from Las Vegas northward today, but higher humidities and snow showers should reduce fire weather concerns over the Northeast Highlands on Friday. However, Guadalupe County was added to the fire weather watch as drier conditions are forecast with strong wind gusts up to 60 mph.

Oklahoma: Like Missouri, most of the state of Oklahoma remains under both red flag and fire weather watch warnings from the National Weather Service as wind gusts of up to 40 mph and humidity levels under 15% create critical fire warning conditions.

Texas: Much of Northern Texas is under both red flag warnings and fire weather watches as strong winds and low relative humidity hit the region. Up to 50 mph winds are expected to hit the Midland/Odessa region while the Amarillo area will see up to 45 mph winds with humidity levels under 10%. The Lubbock region is also under both warnings from the National Weather Service as West to northwest winds at 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph hit.

What is a Red Flag Warning?

A red flag warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger, according to the National Weather Service.

Several restrictions are placed on residents in the area under a red flag warning such as:

• If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.
• Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire.
• Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.
• Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.

What is Fire Weather Watch?

According to the National Weather Service, Fire Weather Watches are issued anytime the area has been dry for substantial amount of time (or for a shorter period during spring green-up or after fall color), the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) is high to extreme, and critical weather conditions are expected within the next 48 hours.

These critical elements are:

• sustained winds averaging 15 mph or greater
• relative humidity 25 percent or less
• temperature 75°F or greater

Most of the warnings will end on Friday.

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