Alert archive / Utah / Red Flag Warnings in 2026

Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Salt Lake City, UT

May 26, 20265 counties in Utah

NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued this red flag warning at May 26, 2026, 10:16 AM MDT for 5 counties in Utah. It took effect at May 27, 2026, 12:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 33 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 26, 2026, 10:16 AM MDT (16:16 UTC)
In effect from
May 27, 2026, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
May 28, 2026, 9:00 PM MDT
In force
33 hr
Issued by
NWS Salt Lake City, UT

Counties Garfield County, UT, Kane County, UT, San Juan County, UT, Washington County, UT, Wayne County, UT

The radar

The Cedar City radar (KICX), 120 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:15 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.

The text

As transmitted.

215 
WWUS85 KSLC 261616
RFWSLC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1016 AM MDT Tue May 26 2026

UTZ494-498-270600-
/O.UPG.KSLC.FW.A.0002.260527T1800Z-260529T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KSLC.FW.W.0003.260527T1800Z-260529T0300Z/
Henry Mountains-Grand Staircase-
1016 AM MDT Tue May 26 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON WEDNESDAY TO 9 PM MDT
THURSDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER
ZONES 494 AND 498...

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a Red
Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from noon Wednesday to 9 PM MDT Thursday. The Fire Weather
Watch is no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 494 Henry Mountains and Fire 
  Weather Zone 498 Grand Staircase.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph developing
  both Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Winds diminishing after
  sunset each evening.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8-10 percent both Wednesday and
  Thursday afternoons. Overnight RH recovery 25-35 percent.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any 
  new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions 
are either occurring now...or are imminent. A combination of 
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can 
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

UTZ484-489-270600-
/O.EXT.KSLC.FW.A.0002.260528T1800Z-260529T0300Z/
Tavaputs Plateau-San Rafael Swell-
1016 AM MDT Tue May 26 2026

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
FIRE WEATHER ZONES 484 AND 489...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 484 Tavaputs Plateau and 
  Fire Weather Zone 489 San Rafael Swell.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph developing
  Thursday afternoon. Winds diminishing after sunset each 
  evening.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8-10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any 
  new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that there is a potential for critical
fire weather conditions. Continue to monitor for the latest
forecasts and for possible Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/saltlakecity
5 follow-up statements
042 
WWUS85 KSLC 270629
RFWSLC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1229 AM MDT Wed May 27 2026

UTZ494-498-272100-
/O.CON.KSLC.FW.W.0003.260527T1800Z-260529T0300Z/
Henry Mountains-Grand Staircase-
1229 AM MDT Wed May 27 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT
THURSDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER
ZONES 494 AND 498...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 494 Henry Mountains and Fire 
  Weather Zone 498 Grand Staircase.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph developing 
  both Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Winds diminishing 
  after sunset each evening.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8-10 percent both Wednesday and 
  Thursday afternoons. Overnight RH recovery 25-35 percent.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any 
  new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now...or are imminent. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

UTZ484-489-272100-
/O.CON.KSLC.FW.A.0002.260528T1800Z-260529T0300Z/
Tavaputs Plateau-San Rafael Swell-
1229 AM MDT Wed May 27 2026

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
FIRE WEATHER ZONES 484 AND 489...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 484 Tavaputs Plateau and 
  Fire Weather Zone 489 San Rafael Swell.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph developing 
  Thursday afternoon. Winds diminishing after sunset each 
  evening.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8-10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any 
  new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that there is a potential for critical
fire weather conditions. Continue to monitor for the latest
forecasts and for possible Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/saltlakecity
172 
WWUS85 KSLC 271741
RFWSLC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1141 AM MDT Wed May 27 2026

UTZ484-489-271845-
/O.CAN.KSLC.FW.A.0002.260528T1800Z-260529T0300Z/
Tavaputs Plateau-San Rafael Swell-
1141 AM MDT Wed May 27 2026

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 484 AND 489...

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has cancelled the
Fire Weather Watch.

Due to an increase in fuel moisture from recent rainfall, the 
Fire Weather Watch for Thursday has been cancelled. Still, 
humidity as low as 8-12 percent in combination with gusty 
southerly winds 30-40 mph will yield elevated to locally critical 
fire weather conditions where fuels are sufficiently dry.

$$

UTZ494-498-280500-
/O.CON.KSLC.FW.W.0003.260527T1800Z-260529T0300Z/
Henry Mountains-Grand Staircase-
1141 AM MDT Wed May 27 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 494 AND
498...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 494 Henry Mountains and Fire 
  Weather Zone 498 Grand Staircase.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph developing 
  both Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Winds diminishing 
  after sunset each evening.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8-10 percent both Wednesday and 
  Thursday afternoons. Overnight RH recovery 25-35 percent.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any 
  new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now...or are imminent. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/saltlakecity
085 
WWUS85 KSLC 281305
RFWSLC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
705 AM MDT Thu May 28 2026

UTZ494-498-290300-
/O.CON.KSLC.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260529T0300Z/
Henry Mountains-Grand Staircase-
705 AM MDT Thu May 28 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 494 AND
498...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 494 Henry Mountains and Fire 
  Weather Zone 498 Grand Staircase.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8-10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any 
  new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now...or are imminent. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/saltlakecity
000 
WWUS85 KSLC 281833
RFWSLC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1233 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

UTZ494-498-290300-
/O.CON.KSLC.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260529T0300Z/
Henry Mountains-Grand Staircase-
1233 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 494 AND
498...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 494 Henry Mountains and Fire 
  Weather Zone 498 Grand Staircase.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 to 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any 
  new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now...or are imminent. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/saltlakecity
034 
WWUS85 KSLC 290306
RFWSLC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
906 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

UTZ494-498-290415-
/O.EXP.KSLC.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260529T0300Z/
Henry Mountains-Grand Staircase-
906 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 494 AND 498...

Winds will continue to decrease across southeast Utah this evening
while humidities gradually climb above 15% late tonight.
Widespread critical fire weather conditions have diminished,
although isolated critical fire weather conditions may continue 
through late this evening. 

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/saltlakecity

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 Salt Lake City, UT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at May 25, 10:16 PM MDT, 12 hours earlier. Its key messages:

  • Gusty winds will develop over portions of western Utah Tuesday, strongest over west central and southwest Utah, where gusts to 50 mph can be expected. Gusty and erratic winds could also develop with showers and thunderstorms tomorrow, with the best coverage over the higher terrain east of I-15.
  • Gusty winds will become more widespread over central and southern Utah on Wednesday, bringing the potential for critical fire weather conditions where fuels are dry. The threat of critical fire weather conditions will continue into Thursday for the valleys of eastern Utah.
  • The trough over the Great Basin will cross Utah and southwest Wyoming late Thursday into Friday bringing a return of scattered showers and thunderstorms to northern Utah and bringing temperatures back down to near seasonal normals across the area.
Area forecast discussion, May 25, 10:16 PM MDT, 12 hours before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1016 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Gusty winds will develop over portions of western Utah Tuesday,
  strongest over west central and southwest Utah, where gusts to
  50 mph can be expected. Gusty and erratic winds could also
  develop with showers and thunderstorms tomorrow, with the best
  coverage over the higher terrain east of I-15.

- Gusty winds will become more widespread over central and
  southern Utah on Wednesday, bringing the potential for critical
  fire weather conditions where fuels are dry. The threat of
  critical fire weather conditions will continue into Thursday for
  the valleys of eastern Utah.

- The trough over the Great Basin will cross Utah and southwest
  Wyoming late Thursday into Friday bringing a return of scattered
  showers and thunderstorms to northern Utah and bringing
  temperatures back down to near seasonal normals across the area.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Utah and southwest Wyoming are under a southerly
flow this evening on the back side of a ridge moving into the
central United States. In this flow, moisture and instability
continue to be drawn northward, which is allowing some showers and
thunderstorms to continue, primarily for areas east of I-15. With
waves continuing to filter north tonight into tomorrow morning,
some convection will continue through the overnight hours.

A trough currently over the Pacific Northwest will drop into the
Great Basin by Thursday afternoon. Initially, the associated
moisture and instability will remain west of the area. However,
the resultant increase in the pressure gradient will result in
some strong, gusty winds over portions of western Utah. Have
added a Wind Advisory for southwest Utah in this package to
accompany the one already issued for western Millard and Juab
counties, as the strongest winds will be concentrated in this
area, where latest guidance indicates a 50-70% chance of wind
gusts to 50 mph. Weighed adding the west desert at this time, but
while it would not be surprising to see isolated gusts in excess
of 40 mph, think these winds will not have the duration to warrant
headlines.

As the broad low wobbles eastward, the extent of the gusty winds
will spread eastward across central and southern Utah. Gusts
overall will be less strong than those expected Tuesday for
western Utah, however, the position of the low will allow the
southerly flow to advect drier air into southern and eastern Utah,
and these two factors will combine to create the potential for
critical fire weather conditions on Wednesday, with the potential
continuing into Thursday for eastern Utah. The drier air moving in
will also likely suppress the threat of convection for Wednesday
into much of Thursday.

Guidance looks to be coming into better agreement about the
eventual movement of the low, with most members indicating it will
move across Utah and southwest Wyoming late Thursday into Friday.
There will be enough instability for some showers and
thunderstorms, primarily for northern Utah, but moisture will be a
limiting factor, as will the weakening of the storm system as it
opens up. A perhaps more noticeable impact will be on
temperatures, which are likely to drop to values much closer to
seasonal normals by Friday afternoon.

Behind the exiting trough, most guidance indicates a drying and
warming trend for the upcoming weekend into day seven.

&&

.AVIATION...KSLC...VFR conditions will persist for the KSLC terminal
through the period. Southerly winds will persist throughout the
entire period, increasing overnight and gusting through the day
tomorrow. Moisture will move into the airspace around sunrise with
most of it staying to the east, but there will be a 30% chance of
light showers across the terminal through mid morning. Isolated
convection (30% chance) will develop tomorrow afternoon.

.REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...VFR conditions will persist
for the entire airspace through the period. Winds will stay
southerly and increase overnight and stay gusty through the day
tomorrow. Moisture will move up through the eastern half of the
airspace overnight with isolated convection developing during the
day tomorrow. Erratic gusty outflow winds and frequent lightning
will be possible.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Strong southerly winds are expected to begin
developing on Tuesday afternoon, primarily over the western third
of Utah. Wind gusts in excess of 30 mph pairing with relative
humidity around 13-17% will create areas of near-critical fire
weather conditions, with isolated critical fire weather conditions
developing where fuels are critically dry in southwest and west-
central Utah. These strong winds will shift into the eastern Utah
valleys on Wednesday and Thursday (mainly in central and southern
Utah) and will pair with relative humidity around 10-15% to create
the potential for critical fire weather conditions for multiple
days. There is generally high confidence that critical fire
weather conditions will develop across western Emery and Carbon
Counties, with moderate confidence in similar conditions
developing in eastern Garfield and Kane Counties. After Thursday,
a cooling and moistening trend is expected into Friday with
conditions warming and drying from Saturday forward.

&&

.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday
     evening for UTZ484-489-494-498.

     Wind Advisory from noon Tuesday to midnight MDT Tuesday night
     for UTZ115-122.

WY...None.
&&

PUBLIC/FIRE WEATHER...Traphagan
AVIATION...Mahan

For more information from NOAA's National Weather Service visit...
http://weather.gov/saltlakecity

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Utah, 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.