Critical fire weather prompts Red Flag Warnings across parts of the High Plains
Multiple Red Flag Warnings are in effect across parts of the High Plains through March 21, 2026, as very low humidity, gusty winds, and anomalously warm temperatures support critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service warns that any fires that develop could spread rapidly and erratically.
Image credit: Cal Fire
Elevated to critical fire weather conditions are forecast across the northern and central High Plains from March 20 to March 21, due to a combination of very low humidity, strong winds, and unseasonably high temperatures
Dry conditions, very low humidity values, and strong downslope winds off the Rocky Mountains will support extreme fire behavior and rapid fire spread across the region. Relative humidity is expected to fall to 4–14%, while wind gusts may reach up to 72 km/h (45 mph), coinciding with temperatures rising into the 24–32°C (75–90°F) range
The NWS warns that any fires that develop could spread quickly and exhibit extreme and unpredictable behavior amid these conditions.
Conditions are forecast to improve briefly on March 22. However, dry weather and above-average temperatures are expected to persist, with renewed elevated to critical fire weather conditions likely early the following week
As of 04:00 AM MDT (10:00 UTC) on March 20, Red Flag Warnings have been issued across Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, and South Dakota.
Wyoming
Red Flag Warnings are in effect across central, north-central, and southwest Wyoming from 18:00 LT on March 20 to 21:00 LT on March 21 for fire weather zones 276–283 and 287–289, including Fremont, Natrona, Johnson, Sweetwater, Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie counties.
Forecast conditions include southwest to west winds of 25–50 km/h (15–30 mph) with gusts up to 72 km/h (45 mph), relative humidity between 8–14%, and temperatures reaching approximately 24–30°C (75–86°F). These conditions are expected to result in erratic fire behavior and rapid spread
Nebraska and southeast Wyoming
Red Flag Warnings remain in effect until 20:00 LT on March 21 for fire weather zones 417–437, covering southeast Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle.
Sustained winds of 25–40 km/h (15–25 mph) with gusts up to 56 km/h (35 mph), relative humidity as low as 7–12%, and well above average temperatures are forecast. Poor overnight humidity recovery is expected, allowing critical conditions to persist through the warning period. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Colorado
In southern Colorado, a Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11:00 to 23:00 MDT on March 21 for fire weather zones 220–230, including the Upper Arkansas River Valley, San Luis Valley, southern Front Range, and adjacent areas. The National Weather Service in Pueblo said the Fire Weather Watch was no longer in effect after it was upgraded to a Red Flag Warning.
Winds are forecast at 25–40 km/h (15–25 mph) with gusts up to 72 km/h (45 mph), while relative humidity may fall to 4–10%. Temperatures are expected to reach 29–32°C (mid-80s to lower 90s°F), supporting rapid fire spread and erratic fire behavior.
In northeastern and north-central Colorado, a Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11:00 to 19:00 LT on March 20 for fire weather zones 238 and 242, including the Cheyenne Ridge and adjacent grassland areas. A Fire Weather Watch is also in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening, March 21, for zones 238 and 242, with broader watch coverage extending to additional northeast plains, foothill, and high mountain park zones.
Relative humidity may fall to around 6%, with winds of 15–30 km/h (10–20 mph) and gusts up to 56 km/h (35 mph). These conditions are favorable for rapid fire spread, particularly across dry grassland fuels.
South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming
A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10:00 to 21:00 LT on March 20 for fire weather zones 314–333, covering the Black Hills and surrounding plains of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming.
Relative humidity is forecast to fall to around 10%, with winds of 15–30 km/h (10–20 mph) and gusts up to 48 km/h (30 mph). These conditions will produce critical fire weather, especially in areas with dry fuels and poor overnight humidity recovery.
References
1 Short Range Forecast Discussion – NWS/WPC – March 20, 2026
2 Red Flag Warnings – NWS – March 20, 2026
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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