TEXAS, USA — Warm temperatures, combined with wind gusts up to 45 mph possible, dry conditions and low relative humidity could cause fires to spread quickly, prompting the National Weather Service Abilene San Angelo to issue a red flag warning Tuesday.
The red flag warning is from noon to 7 p.m. and includes the northwestern part of the Concho Valley and most of the Big Country.
The National Weather Service in San Angelo says winds will be from 25-35 mph with 45 mph gusts possible Tuesday afternoon into the early evening. Relative humidity will be as low as 16% and conditions are critically dry.
Any fires that develop will spread rapidly, the NWS said. Any outdoor activity that could produce flames or sparks is discouraged. Currently, no burn bans are in effect for Tom Green or Taylor counties. Coke and Eastland counties are under burn ban, effective Monday, Feb. 26, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Counties affected by the warning include Taylor, Tom Green, Fisher, Nolan, Sterling, Coke, Haskell, Throckmorton, Jones, Comanche, Stephens, Knox.
On Monday, the TAMU Forest Service responded to 13 new requests for assistance on wildfires burning 77,135 acres across the state. Strong fire weather Tuesday will align with above normal fuel loading on the High Plains, resulting in moderate to high fire potential for wildfires.
The forest service says wildfires that do start may show moderate resistance to control. There is also potential for fire activity in East Texas, the Rolling Plains and western Cross Timbers, but the fire environment will relax beginning Wednesday-Friday.
On Saturday, the potential for wildfire activity will increase for the Plains and more Sunday when strong winds are possible across West Texas.
