Red Flag Warning Issued for North Central Illinois Counties Including Peoria and McLean
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for North Central Illinois, effective today from 10 AM to 8 PM CST, due to critical fire weather conditions.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a Red Flag Warning for North Central Illinois. This alert signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent. The warning was issued due to a combination of strong winds and low relative humidity.
Affected Areas
The following counties in Illinois are under the warning:
- Peoria
- Woodford
- Fulton
- Tazewell
- McLean
- Mason
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas are advised that any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Residents should prepare for hazardous fire conditions.
Expected Conditions
- Winds: Southwest winds between 10 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching up to 30 mph.
- Relative Humidity: Levels are expected to drop as low as 17 percent.
- 10 Hour Fuels: Moisture levels are reported at less than 8 percent.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10:00 AM CST this morning, February 18, until 8:00 PM CST this evening.
Source: NOAA Official Notice
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