Texas map shows counties facing “extreme fire” warnings

Multiple counties in Texas were under red flag warnings from the National Weather Service early Wednesday, with forecasters warning that strong winds and low humidity could lead to “extreme fire behavior.”

Why It Matters

According to the NWS, a red flag warning is issued to notify fire officials and firefighters of potentially hazardous fire weather conditions expected within the next 12 to 24 hours.

“Red flag Warnings are ‘fire environment’ products that combine weather conditions and also fuel conditions. The fuel conditions include how dry the vegetation is and how effectively the fuels can burn,” NWS National Fire Weather Program Manager Heath Hockenberry previously told Newsweek.

What To Know

Texas counties under red flag warnings included Dallam, Hartley, Oldham, Deaf Smith, Parmer, Moore, Potter, Randall, Castro, Bailey, Lamb, Cochran, Hockley, Yoakum and Terry.

The NWS said “Critical” fire weather conditions were expected Wednesday afternoon, primarily across the western Panhandles.

Sustained west-southwest winds of 20-25 mph, with gusts reaching 30-40 mph, combined with low humidity and dry grass would increase the risk of fire ignition in these areas, it said.

“A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior,” the service warned.

According to the NWS, a majority of the state’s wildfires are caused by human activity.

The agency said people in areas of concern should check local burn bans and weather forecasts. It also encouraged people to contact local law or fire departments if they smell smoke or see fire.

The NWS said any fire that developed could quickly catch and spread, and it discouraged those in affected areas from outdoor burning.

Red flag warnings were also issued for portions of northeast, central and eastern New Mexico; southeast Colorado; southwest Kansas; and a western strip of the Oklahoma Panhandle.

What People Are Saying

NWS Amarillo said on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday: “Critical fire weather conditions will be possible across the western Panhandles Wednesday afternoon. Strong winds and low relative humidity values will be common in these areas.”

NWS Amarillo said on X on Monday: “With warmer and drier air that’s been in place this weekend and today. Expect that the grasses are becoming more vulnerable to burning easily. We’re looking at potential elevated to critical fire weather conditions on Wednesday and Friday.”

What Happens Next

At the time of writing, the latest red flag warnings for Texas were in place until 7 p.m.

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