Red Flag Warning Issued for Nebraska Panhandle; 75 MPH Gusts Expected Thursday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of the Nebraska Panhandle. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures.

Affected Areas

The warning covers fire weather zones 434 through 437. Specific geographic regions include:

• Pine Ridge and the Nebraska National Forest
• Box Butte, South Sioux, and the Niobrara River area
• Lower North Platte River Basin and Scottsbluff National Monument
• Lodgepole Creek and the Southern Nebraska Panhandle

Forecasters note that the highest threat is currently located along the Interstate 80 corridor.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised that outdoor burning is not recommended. Any fires that develop under these conditions will likely spread rapidly and exhibit extreme behavior. Residents should prepare for hazardous conditions and monitor local updates.

Expected Conditions

• Wind: West winds between 30 and 50 mph are expected, with powerful gusts reaching up to 75 mph.
• Humidity: Relative humidity levels are forecast to drop to between 17 and 22 percent.
• Impacts: The combination of high winds and low moisture creates an environment where fire can spread uncontrollably.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is officially in effect from 11:00 AM MDT on Thursday, March 12, until 9:00 PM MDT Thursday evening.