Red Flag Warning Issued for Merrick, Hamilton, and Clay Counties in Nebraska
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for south-central Nebraska through 8:00 PM CDT due to critical fire weather conditions.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Hastings has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity. This alert is issued by the NWS Hastings NE office and remains in effect until 8:00 PM CDT this evening.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically covers the following counties in Nebraska:
- Merrick
- Hamilton
- Clay
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas are advised that outdoor burning is not recommended. A Red Flag Warning indicates 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. Any fire that develops under these conditions will spread quickly.
Expected Conditions
- Winds: Southwest winds between 15 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
- Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 15 to 20 percent.
- Impacts: High potential for rapid fire growth and extreme behavior.
Timeline
The alert was issued at 2:58 PM CDT on March 8, 2026, and is scheduled to expire at 8:00 PM CDT this evening.
Source: NOAA Official Notice
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