Red Flag Warning Issued for Dickens and King Counties in Texas

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Lubbock has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of the Rolling Plains. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop, replacing the previous Fire Weather Watch for the region.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following geographic regions in Texas:

• Dickens County
• King County

This area encompasses the far southern Texas Panhandle, northern South Plains, and northern Rolling Plains.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are strongly advised to discourage all outdoor burning. A Red Flag Warning means that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop under these conditions can spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Residents should listen for later forecasts and remain prepared for hazardous fire conditions.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions are expected to reach critical thresholds for fire danger:

• Wind: West to northwest winds between 20 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
• Humidity: Relative humidity levels are forecast to drop as low as 10 percent.
• Fuels: Vegetation and fuels in the region are currently dry, increasing the risk of ignition and rapid spread.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is in effect during the following window:

• Start Time: 10:00 AM CST on Thursday, February 19, 2026
• End Time: 7:00 PM CST on Thursday, February 19, 2026