Red Flag Warning active for much of Southeast Nebraska Tuesday
No outdoor burning is allowed from noon to 8 PM
The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity. That means no outdoor burning is allowed in any of the affected areas while the warning is in effect.
The warning applies to the following counties: Stanton, Colfax, Butler, Seward, Lancaster, Saline, Jefferson, Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, and Richardson Counties.
It is expected to be active from noon to 8 p.m. CST on Tuesday, February 17.
Forecasts are calling for winds moving southwest from 20 to 25 miles per hour, with gusts up to 40 mph, plus relative humidity as low as 20 percent.
The Red Flag Warning supersedes the previous Fire Weather Watch. The warning means that any fires that do develop will likely spread rapidly, and outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
"A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior," the Fairbury Rural Fire Department shared in a post on Facebook Monday. "If you or anyone you know has burned within the last few weeks, check those areas for hot spots that could rekindle."