'Critical' Fire Conditions Emerging as Warning Announced for 8 States
The National Weather Service (NWS) is urging residents of eight states to use caution on Sunday due to the presence of "critical" and possibly dangerous fire conditions.
A Red Flag Warning, which is the most severe fire-related alert the NWS can issue, has been put in place in three different regions of the United States through Sunday, and in some cases, Monday.
What is a Red Flag Warning?
The official Weather.gov definition says a Red Flag Warning is issued when “the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions support extreme fire danger” and these conditions “are expected to occur or are occurring within the next 24 hours.”
“These products are written for land and fire managers to highlight the increased fire danger,” the NWS says.
Where is a Red Flag Warning in effect Sunday?
The eight states cited by the NWS are:
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Wyoming
More details for residents
The NWS Amarillo office confirmed a Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles until 8 p.m. local time Sunday. Temperatures are in the 70s, with wind gusts up to 40 mph.
"A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures will create favorable weather for rapid fire growth and spread. Avoid activities that promote open flames and sparks," the NWS writes.
Areas of Colorado and New Mexico are also under a Red Flag Warning until roughly the same time tonight. The same can be said of almost all of Georgia.
Meanwhile, here are the zones in Kansas under a Red Flag Warning until tonight.
- Fire Weather Zone 063 Finney
- Fire Weather Zone 064 Hodgeman
- Fire Weather Zone 074 Stanton
- Fire Weather Zone 075 Grant
- Fire Weather Zone 076 Haskell
- Fire Weather Zone 077 Gray
- Fire Weather Zone 078 Ford
- Fire Weather Zone 084 Morton
- Fire Weather Zone 085 Stevens
- Fire Weather Zone 086 Seward
- Fire Weather Zone 087 Meade
- Fire Weather Zone 088 Clark
Lastly, in Wyoming and Nebraska, a Red Flag Warning for fire zones 417, 418, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436 and 437 is in place until 8 p.m. Monday.
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