Alert archive / Kansas / Red Flag Warnings in 2026

Red Flag Warning 4, NWS Dodge City, KS

February 15, 202627 counties in Kansas

NWS Dodge City, KS issued this red flag warning at Feb 15, 2026, 9:24 PM CST for 27 counties in Kansas. It took effect at Feb 17, 2026, 11:00 AM CST. It was in force for 9 hr. 42 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Feb 15, 2026, 9:24 PM CST (03:24 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 17, 2026, 11:00 AM CST
Expired
Feb 17, 2026, 8:00 PM CST
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Dodge City, KS
All 27 counties

Barber County, KS, Clark County, KS, Comanche County, KS, Edwards County, KS, Ellis County, KS, Finney County, KS, Ford County, KS, Grant County, KS, Gray County, KS, Hamilton County, KS, Haskell County, KS, Hodgeman County, KS, Kearny County, KS, Kiowa County, KS, Lane County, KS, Meade County, KS, Morton County, KS, Ness County, KS, Pawnee County, KS, Pratt County, KS, Rush County, KS, Scott County, KS, Seward County, KS, Stafford County, KS, Stanton County, KS, Stevens County, KS, Trego County, KS

The radar

The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 22 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:29 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Feb 17, 11:23 AM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 549 Nw Wilburton, KSMesonet station CGLK1 Cimarron.
Feb 17, 11:25 AM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 571 Ene Garden City, KSMesonet station KS010 US-50 @ K-156 bridge Garden City.
Feb 17, 11:40 AM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 641 Ene Garden City, KSMesonet station KS010 US-50 @ K-156 bridge Garden City.
Feb 17, 11:47 AM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 573 Nnw Montezuma, KSPWS-KKSMONTE7.
Feb 17, 11:52 AM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 582 Wsw Liberal, KSAWOS station KLBL Liberal.
Feb 17, 11:59 AM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 604 Ne Hayne, KSMesonet station UR350 Kismws.
Feb 17, 12:04 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 653 Nnw Montezuma, KSPWS-KKSMONTE7.
Feb 17, 12:15 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 58Elkhart, KSAWOS station KEHA Elkhart AWOS Site.
Feb 17, 12:23 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 589 Nw Wilburton, KSMesonet station CGLK1 Cimarron.
Feb 17, 12:27 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 581 Ne Johnson City, KSAWOS station KJHN Johnson City.
Feb 17, 12:43 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 622 Ese Ulysses, KSPWS Videra_weather.
Feb 17, 12:45 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 591 N Syracuse, KSAWOS station K3K3 Syracuse.
Feb 17, 1:03 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 599 S Montezuma, KSPWS - Dirks_Farm.
Feb 17, 1:15 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 602 N Lakin, KSAWOS station K36K 2 N Lakin.
Feb 17, 1:20 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 571 Sw Richfield, KSMesonet station RFUK1 Richfield.
Feb 17, 1:23 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 619 Nw Wilburton, KSMesonet station CGLK1 Cimarron.
Feb 17, 1:24 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 733 Nnw Montezuma, KS
Feb 17, 1:25 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 681 Ene Garden City, KSMesonet station KS010 US-50 @ K-156 bridge Garden City.
Feb 17, 1:32 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 611 N Syracuse, KSAWOS station K3K3 Syracuse.
Feb 17, 1:35 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 632 N Lakin, KSAWOS station K36K 2 N Lakin.
Feb 17, 1:40 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 612 Sse Wright, KSPWS-KKSWRIGH5.
Feb 17, 1:43 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 623 Nw Pierceville, KSASOS station KGCK Garden City.
Feb 17, 1:45 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 704 Sw Friend, KSPWS-KKSHOLCO17.
Feb 17, 1:49 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 583 Ene Dodge City, KSASOS station KDDC Dodge City Regional Airport.
Feb 17, 2:14 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 659 S Montezuma, KSPWS - Dirks_Farm.
Feb 17, 2:23 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 641 Wsw Hugoton, KSAWOS station KHQG Hugoton.
Feb 17, 2:23 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 642 N Dodge City, KS
Feb 17, 2:29 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 601 Nw Scott City, KSPWS-KKSSCOTT54.
Feb 17, 2:45 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 684 Sse Dighton, KSPWS-KKSDIGHT22.
Feb 17, 3:09 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 662 Sse Wright, KSPWS-KKSWRIGH5.
Feb 17, 3:15 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 591 S Wakeeney, KSMesonet station K5WKY 1 SSW Wakeeney.
Feb 17, 3:39 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 651 Nw Catherine, KSPWS - Northwest_of_Catherine.
Feb 17, 3:40 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 654 Ne Hayne, KSMesonet station UR350 Kismws.
Feb 17, 3:47 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 582 Wsw Minneola, KSMesonet station UP313 2.1 W Minneola (UPR).
Feb 17, 3:53 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 586 Nnw Radium, KSPWS-KKSPAWNE14.
Feb 17, 3:58 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 592 Wnw Hardtner, KSKZLF_Transmitter_Site.
Feb 17, 4:00 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 633 W Bloom, KSMesonet station DW9907 Bloom.
Feb 17, 4:00 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 633 W Bloom, KSPWS-KKSBLOOM2.
Feb 17, 4:28 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 591 E Yocemento, KSMesonet station UP856 0.8 E Yocemento (UPR).
Feb 17, 4:31 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 683 Nw Pierceville, KSASOS station KGCK Garden City.
Feb 17, 4:58 PM CSTWILDFIRE6 Ese Acres, KSMesonet site 8 S Ashland camera recorded photos of ongoing wildfire.
Feb 17, 5:31 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 605 Nnw Ash Valley, KSPWS-KKSRUSHC14.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 3.4 hours before the alert went out and 27 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Dodge City, at 00:00Z on 2026-02-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Dodge City, at 00:00Z on 2026-02-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 113 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1831 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
63 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
113 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
249 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

475 
WWUS83 KDDC 160324
RFWDDC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
924 PM CST Sun Feb 15 2026

KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090-161500-
/O.UPG.KDDC.FW.A.0002.260217T1800Z-260218T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KDDC.FW.W.0004.260217T1800Z-260218T0200Z/
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman-
Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa-
Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
924 PM CST Sun Feb 15 2026 /824 PM MST Sun Feb 15 2026/

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON CST /11 AM MST/ TO 8 PM
CST /7 PM MST/ TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
SOUTHWEST KANSAS...

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from noon CST /11 AM MST/ to 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ Tuesday. The
Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 030 Trego, Fire Weather Zone 
  031 Ellis, Fire Weather Zone 043 Scott, Fire Weather Zone 044 
  Lane, Fire Weather Zone 045 Ness, Fire Weather Zone 046 Rush, 
  Fire Weather Zone 061 Hamilton, Fire Weather Zone 062 Kearny, 
  Fire Weather Zone 063 Finney, Fire Weather Zone 064 Hodgeman, 
  Fire Weather Zone 065 Pawnee, Fire Weather Zone 066 Stafford, 
  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 079 Edwards, 
  Fire Weather Zone 080 Kiowa, Fire Weather Zone 081 Pratt, 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, Fire Weather Zone 089 Comanche and 
  Fire Weather Zone 090 Barber.

* TIMING...From noon CST /11 AM MST/ to 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ 
  Tuesday.

* WINDS...Southwest 25 to 45 mph with gusts of 50 mph and higher.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

For more information from NOAA/National weather service visit...
http://weather.gov/ddc
6 follow-up statements
792 
WWUS83 KDDC 160822
RFWDDC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
222 AM CST Mon Feb 16 2026

...Critical Wildfire Danger Expected Tuesday...

KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090-170000-
/O.EXT.KDDC.FW.W.0004.260217T1700Z-260218T0200Z/
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman-
Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa-
Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
222 AM CST Mon Feb 16 2026 /122 AM MST Mon Feb 16 2026/

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/ TO
8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR SOUTHWEST KANSAS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 030 Trego, Fire Weather Zone 
  031 Ellis, Fire Weather Zone 043 Scott, Fire Weather Zone 044 
  Lane, Fire Weather Zone 045 Ness, Fire Weather Zone 046 Rush, 
  Fire Weather Zone 061 Hamilton, Fire Weather Zone 062 Kearny, 
  Fire Weather Zone 063 Finney, Fire Weather Zone 064 Hodgeman, 
  Fire Weather Zone 065 Pawnee, Fire Weather Zone 066 Stafford, 
  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 079 Edwards, 
  Fire Weather Zone 080 Kiowa, Fire Weather Zone 081 Pratt, 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, Fire Weather Zone 089 Comanche and 
  Fire Weather Zone 090 Barber.

* TIMING...From 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/ to 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ 
  Tuesday.

* WINDS...Southwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any ignitions will have the potential to become
  wildfires quickly, and spread rapidly. Emergency managers, fire
  managers, and fire crews in the field should prepare for 
  operations Tuesday afternoon/evening. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

Turner

For more information from NOAA/National weather service visit...
http://weather.gov/ddc
917 
WWUS83 KDDC 161948
RFWDDC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
148 PM CST Mon Feb 16 2026

...Critical Wildfire Danger Expected Tuesday...

KSZ061>063-074>077-084>087-171200-
/O.NEW.KDDC.FW.A.0003.260218T1700Z-260219T0200Z/
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.W.0004.260217T1700Z-260218T0200Z/
Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Morton-Stevens-
Seward-Meade-
148 PM CST Mon Feb 16 2026 /1248 PM MST Mon Feb 16 2026/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/
TO 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH 
WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a Fire
Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 061 Hamilton, Fire Weather 
  Zone 062 Kearny, Fire Weather Zone 063 Finney, Fire Weather 
  Zone 074 Stanton, Fire Weather Zone 075 Grant, Fire Weather 
  Zone 076 Haskell, Fire Weather Zone 077 Gray, Fire Weather 
  Zone 084 Morton, Fire Weather Zone 085 Stevens, Fire Weather 
  Zone 086 Seward and Fire Weather Zone 087 Meade.

* TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/ 
  to 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ Tuesday. For the Fire Weather Watch, 
  from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening.

* WINDS...Southwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

KSZ030-031-043>046-064>066-078>081-088>090-171200-
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.W.0004.260217T1700Z-260218T0200Z/
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hodgeman-Pawnee-Stafford-Ford-
Edwards-Kiowa-Pratt-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
148 PM CST Mon Feb 16 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM CST
TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 030 Trego, Fire Weather Zone 
  031 Ellis, Fire Weather Zone 043 Scott, Fire Weather Zone 044 
  Lane, Fire Weather Zone 045 Ness, Fire Weather Zone 046 Rush, 
  Fire Weather Zone 064 Hodgeman, Fire Weather Zone 065 Pawnee, 
  Fire Weather Zone 066 Stafford, Fire Weather Zone 078 Ford, 
  Fire Weather Zone 079 Edwards, Fire Weather Zone 080 Kiowa, 
  Fire Weather Zone 081 Pratt, Fire Weather Zone 088 Clark, Fire 
  Weather Zone 089 Comanche and Fire Weather Zone 090 Barber.

* TIMING...From 11 AM to 8 PM CST Tuesday.

* WINDS...Southwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

Springer

$$

For more information from NOAA/National weather service visit...
http://weather.gov/ddc
756 
WWUS83 KDDC 170201
RFWDDC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
801 PM CST Mon Feb 16 2026

KSZ061>063-074>077-084>087-171500-
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.W.0004.260217T1700Z-260218T0200Z/
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.A.0003.260218T1700Z-260219T0200Z/
Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Morton-Stevens-
Seward-Meade-
801 PM CST Mon Feb 16 2026 /701 PM MST Mon Feb 16 2026/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/
TO 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING 
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 061 Hamilton, Fire Weather 
  Zone 062 Kearny, Fire Weather Zone 063 Finney, Fire Weather 
  Zone 074 Stanton, Fire Weather Zone 075 Grant, Fire Weather 
  Zone 076 Haskell, Fire Weather Zone 077 Gray, Fire Weather 
  Zone 084 Morton, Fire Weather Zone 085 Stevens, Fire Weather 
  Zone 086 Seward and Fire Weather Zone 087 Meade.

* TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/ 
  to 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ Tuesday. For the Fire Weather Watch, 
  from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening.

* WINDS...Southwest to west 30 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph
  Tuesday. Southwest to west 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 35 mph
  Wednesday.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

KSZ030-031-043>046-064>066-078>081-088>090-171500-
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.W.0004.260217T1700Z-260218T0200Z/
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hodgeman-Pawnee-Stafford-Ford-
Edwards-Kiowa-Pratt-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
801 PM CST Mon Feb 16 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM CST
TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 030 Trego, Fire Weather Zone 
  031 Ellis, Fire Weather Zone 043 Scott, Fire Weather Zone 044 
  Lane, Fire Weather Zone 045 Ness, Fire Weather Zone 046 Rush, 
  Fire Weather Zone 064 Hodgeman, Fire Weather Zone 065 Pawnee, 
  Fire Weather Zone 066 Stafford, Fire Weather Zone 078 Ford, 
  Fire Weather Zone 079 Edwards, Fire Weather Zone 080 Kiowa, 
  Fire Weather Zone 081 Pratt, Fire Weather Zone 088 Clark, Fire 
  Weather Zone 089 Comanche and Fire Weather Zone 090 Barber.

* TIMING...From 11 AM to 8 PM CST Tuesday.

* WINDS...Southwest to west 30 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

For more information from NOAA/National weather service visit...
http://weather.gov/ddc
586 
WWUS83 KDDC 170823
RFWDDC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
223 AM CST Tue Feb 17 2026

...Volatile Wildfire Environment Expected Tuesday Afternoon...

KSZ061>063-074>077-084>087-180200-
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.W.0004.260217T1700Z-260218T0200Z/
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.A.0003.260218T1700Z-260219T0200Z/
Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Morton-Stevens-
Seward-Meade-
223 AM CST Tue Feb 17 2026 /123 AM MST Tue Feb 17 2026/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/
THIS MORNING TO 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 061 Hamilton, Fire Weather 
  Zone 062 Kearny, Fire Weather Zone 063 Finney, Fire Weather 
  Zone 074 Stanton, Fire Weather Zone 075 Grant, Fire Weather 
  Zone 076 Haskell, Fire Weather Zone 077 Gray, Fire Weather 
  Zone 084 Morton, Fire Weather Zone 085 Stevens, Fire Weather 
  Zone 086 Seward and Fire Weather Zone 087 Meade.

* TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/ 
  this morning to 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ this evening. 

  For the Fire Weather Watch, from Wednesday morning through 
  Wednesday evening.

* WINDS...Southwest to west 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous wildfire conditions are expected Tuesday
  afternoon, especially west of US 283. Unseasonably warm
  temperatures in the 70s will drive minimum relative humidity to
  10-15%. Intense southwest winds are expected after 10 am,
  averaging 30-40 mph, with gusts of 60-70 mph west of US 283.
  This combination will create a volatile wildfire environment,
  especially west of US 283, and especially once the expected
  cirrus canopy clears during the afternoon. Avoid all outdoor
  burning. Emergency managers, fire managers, and fire crews in
  the field should prepare for operations Tuesday afternoon. Any
  ignition will have potential for becoming a wildfire quickly,
  spread rapidly, and exhibit extreme fire behavior. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

KSZ030-031-043>046-064>066-078>081-088>090-180200-
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.W.0004.260217T1700Z-260218T0200Z/
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hodgeman-Pawnee-Stafford-Ford-
Edwards-Kiowa-Pratt-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
223 AM CST Tue Feb 17 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 030 Trego, Fire Weather Zone 
  031 Ellis, Fire Weather Zone 043 Scott, Fire Weather Zone 044 
  Lane, Fire Weather Zone 045 Ness, Fire Weather Zone 046 Rush, 
  Fire Weather Zone 064 Hodgeman, Fire Weather Zone 065 Pawnee, 
  Fire Weather Zone 066 Stafford, Fire Weather Zone 078 Ford, 
  Fire Weather Zone 079 Edwards, Fire Weather Zone 080 Kiowa, 
  Fire Weather Zone 081 Pratt, Fire Weather Zone 088 Clark, Fire 
  Weather Zone 089 Comanche and Fire Weather Zone 090 Barber.

* TIMING...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM CST this evening.

* WINDS...Southwest to west 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 13 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any ignition will have potential for becoming a
  wildfire quickly, spread rapidly, and exhibit extreme fire
  behavior. Avoid all outdoor burning. Emergency managers, fire 
  managers, and fire crews in the field should prepare for 
  operations Tuesday afternoon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

Turner

For more information from NOAA/National weather service visit...
http://weather.gov/ddc
201 
WWUS83 KDDC 171759
RFWDDC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
1159 AM CST Tue Feb 17 2026

...Volatile Wildfire Environment Expected Tuesday Afternoon...

KSZ061>063-074>077-084>087-181200-
/O.UPG.KDDC.FW.A.0003.260218T1700Z-260219T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KDDC.FW.W.0005.260218T1700Z-260219T0200Z/
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260218T0200Z/
Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Morton-Stevens-
Seward-Meade-
1159 AM CST Tue Feb 17 2026 /1059 AM MST Tue Feb 17 2026/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... ...RED FLAG 
WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/ TO 8 PM CST /7 PM 
MST/ WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/ to 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ Wednesday. The
Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 061 Hamilton, Fire Weather 
  Zone 062 Kearny, Fire Weather Zone 063 Finney, Fire Weather 
  Zone 074 Stanton, Fire Weather Zone 075 Grant, Fire Weather 
  Zone 076 Haskell, Fire Weather Zone 077 Gray, Fire Weather 
  Zone 084 Morton, Fire Weather Zone 085 Stevens, Fire Weather 
  Zone 086 Seward and Fire Weather Zone 087 Meade.

* TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 8 PM CST /7 PM 
  MST/ this evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from 11 AM 
  CST /10 AM MST/ to 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ Wednesday.

* WINDS...Southwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

KSZ030-031-043>046-064>066-078>081-088>090-180200-
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260218T0200Z/
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hodgeman-Pawnee-Stafford-Ford-
Edwards-Kiowa-Pratt-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
1159 AM CST Tue Feb 17 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CST THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 030 Trego, Fire Weather Zone 
  031 Ellis, Fire Weather Zone 043 Scott, Fire Weather Zone 044 
  Lane, Fire Weather Zone 045 Ness, Fire Weather Zone 046 Rush, 
  Fire Weather Zone 064 Hodgeman, Fire Weather Zone 065 Pawnee, 
  Fire Weather Zone 066 Stafford, Fire Weather Zone 078 Ford, 
  Fire Weather Zone 079 Edwards, Fire Weather Zone 080 Kiowa, 
  Fire Weather Zone 081 Pratt, Fire Weather Zone 088 Clark, Fire 
  Weather Zone 089 Comanche and Fire Weather Zone 090 Barber.

* TIMING...Until 8 PM CST this evening.

* WINDS...Southwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

Springer

$$

For more information from NOAA/National weather service visit...
http://weather.gov/ddc
241 
WWUS83 KDDC 180221
RFWDDC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
821 PM CST Tue Feb 17 2026

...Volatile Wildfire Environment Expected Tuesday Afternoon...

KSZ061>063-074>077-084>087-181030-
/O.EXP.KDDC.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260218T0200Z/
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.W.0005.260218T1700Z-260219T0200Z/
Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Morton-Stevens-
Seward-Meade-
821 PM CST Tue Feb 17 2026 /721 PM MST Tue Feb 17 2026/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/
TO 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR SOUTHWEST KANSAS... 
...RED FLAG WARNING THAT WAS IN EFFECT HAS EXPIRED FOR WIND AND 
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 061 Hamilton, Fire Weather 
  Zone 062 Kearny, Fire Weather Zone 063 Finney, Fire Weather 
  Zone 074 Stanton, Fire Weather Zone 075 Grant, Fire Weather 
  Zone 076 Haskell, Fire Weather Zone 077 Gray, Fire Weather 
  Zone 084 Morton, Fire Weather Zone 085 Stevens, Fire Weather 
  Zone 086 Seward and Fire Weather Zone 087 Meade.

* TIMING...From 11 AM CST /10 AM MST/ to 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ 
  Wednesday.

* WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 11 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

KSZ030-031-043>046-064>066-078>081-088>090-180330-
/O.EXP.KDDC.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260218T0200Z/
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hodgeman-Pawnee-Stafford-Ford-
Edwards-Kiowa-Pratt-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
821 PM CST Tue Feb 17 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY...

Gusty winds were decreasing and humidity values have climbed above
20 percent. As a result the red flag warning has been allowed to
expire.

$$

For more information from NOAA/National weather service visit...
http://weather.gov/ddc

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Dodge City, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Feb 15, 4:09 PM CST, 5 hours 15 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Strong winds Tuesday.
  • Critical fire weather conditions Tuesday.
Area forecast discussion, Feb 15, 4:09 PM CST, 5 hours 15 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
409 PM CST Sun Feb 15 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong winds Tuesday.

- Critical fire weather conditions Tuesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1201 PM CST Sun Feb 15 2026

WV imagery indicates ridging aloft transitioning slowly east through
the Colorado Rockies. Near the surface, lee side troughing is slowly
strengthening in eastern Colorado.

Prevailing dry conditions early in the period will persist through
mid-week as the aforementioned ridging shifts east through the
Western High Plains tonight, and on into the Central Plains Monday,
all while south-southwesterly downsloping enhances a much drier air
mass across the high plains of western Kansas.

There is increasing confidence for a relatively strong wind event
Tuesday as the SREF continues to show an upper level shortwave
trough lifting east-northeast through the Great Basin Monday night
and farther up into the Central Rockies early in the day Tuesday.
Lee side cyclogenesis is projected to initiate across the Northern
High Plains in response, then deepen further as the low kicks out
into the Dakotas. In turn, this will result in a tightening pressure
gradient across western Kansas with the SREF now pointing to a swath
of H85 winds in excess of 40-45kt spreading east across southwest
Kansas during the day. As winds begin to mix down with max daytime
heating, strong wind gusts upward of 50 to 60 mph can be expected
as supported by the NBM painting a widespread 50-70% probability
of wind gusts exceeding 50 mph across much of southwest Kansas by
mid/late afternoon. There is a 10-30% probability of exceeding 55
mph closer to the Colorado line. A High Wind Watch remains in
effect for Tuesday.

Well above normal temperatures are forecast again tonight with
prevailing south-southwesterlies supporting a milder air mass across
southwest/central Kansas. With the HREF indicating only a 20-40%
probability of temperatures dropping below 40F in extreme southwest
Kansas to a 60-80% probability of temperatures slipping below 50F in
south central Kansas, expect lows generally in the 40s(F) with the
upper 30s(F) out near the Colorado line. An ongoing warming trend
continues into Monday with prevailing south-southwesterlies enhancing
warm air advection into western Kansas with H85 temperatures up near
15C in central Kansas to the upper teens(C) in extreme southwest
Kansas. Expect afternoon highs well up into the mid/upper 70s(F)
across southwest Kansas into south central Kansas where the HREF
indicates a 70-90% probability of temperatures exceeding 70F to
highs nearing 70F in vicinity of the I-70 corridor where there is
only a 10-20% probability of temperatures topping 70F. Similar highs
are likely Tuesday as downsloping southwesterlies persist. May see
afternoon highs topping 80F in some locations.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 408 PM CST Sun Feb 15 2026

VFR expected through TAF pd. A strong 50 kt LLJ will promote LLWS
across the terminals through the overnight period. S/SW winds
5-15 kt expected through the period as well.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1215 PM CST Sun Feb 15 2026

Strong southwest winds with potential gusts up to 50 to 60 mph
combined with a downslope enhanced dry air mass lowering relative
humidity down to 15 percent or less will produce critical fire
weather conditions across all of southwest Kansas Tuesday afternoon
into early Tuesday evening. A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect.

&&

.DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Fire Weather Watch from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday
evening for KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090.
High Wind Watch Tuesday afternoon for KSZ043-061>063-074>076-
084>086.

&&

DISCUSSION...JJohnson
AVIATION...Sugden
FIRE WEATHER...JJohnson
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 15, 2:25 AM CST, 18 hours 59 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
225 AM CST Sun Feb 15 2026

KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090-160830-
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman-
Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa-
Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
225 AM CST Sun Feb 15 2026 /125 AM MST Sun Feb 15 2026/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Kansas,
south central Kansas, southwest Kansas, and west central Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Sunday.

Elevated wildfire risk is expected west of US 83 Sunday afternoon,
with south winds increasing to 15 to 25 mph.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Critical to extremely critical wildfire conditions are expected
Tuesday afternoon, with unseasonably warm temperatures in the 70s and
80s reducing afternoon minimum relative humidity to near 10%. Intense
southwest winds, with gusts of 60-70 mph, are expected, creating a
volatile environment for potentially destructive wildfires. Fire and
emergency managers, and fire crews in the field, are urged to prepare
for operations Tuesday afternoon.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

Turner

The office that day

Everything else NWS Dodge City, KS issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 16, 12:07 PM CSTHigh Wind WarningDDCClark, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Hamilton and 11 more32 hr
Feb 16, 1:48 PM CSTFire Weather WatchDDCFinney, Grant, Gray, Hamilton, Haskell, Kearny and 5 more22 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Kansas, 2026Every red flag warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.