What Is a Red Flag Warning?
A Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are in place for extreme fire behavior — typically low humidity, high temperatures, and sustained or gusty wind, on ground dry enough to carry a fire fast. It is a weather forecast, not a law: a Red Flag Warning by itself does not make outdoor burning illegal, and it does not lift one either. See the difference from a burn ban below.
Active right now
Red Flag Warning by state
- California — 2 active
- Oregon — 1 active
Fire Weather Watch by state
- Washington — 7 active
- Oregon — 5 active
- California — 2 active
- Idaho — 1 active
- Nevada — 1 active
Source: National Weather Service Alerts API ↗ · last checked August 21, 2026 at 9:38 AM UTC
Red Flag Warning vs. Fire Weather Watch
Conditions favorable for extreme fire behavior are possible in the next 12–72 hours. It's a heads-up to get ready, not a statement that it's happening yet.
Those conditions are occurring now or expected within 24 hours. Any spark — a dragging trailer chain, a cigarette, an unattended campfire — can turn into a fast-moving fire.
A Watch typically upgrades to a Warning as the window narrows and the forecast firms up. Neither one is issued by a county, a fire marshal, or a governor — both come strictly from the National Weather Service's fire-weather forecast, office by office.
Is a Red Flag Warning the same as a burn ban?
No. A Red Flag Warning is weather information. A burn ban is a legal order — issued by a county judge, a parish government, a fire chief, a state forester, or a governor — that makes open burning illegal in a specific area. The two often travel together (a county is more likely to declare a ban during Red Flag conditions), but one does not create or cancel the other. A county can be under a burn ban with no Red Flag Warning in effect, and a Red Flag Warning can cover a county with no burn ban at all.
The only way to know if you can legally burn is to check the county's actual order — use the tool below, or go straight to your state page.
What fire weather zone am I in?
The National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings by fire weather zone — a forecast
area that follows terrain and climate boundaries, not county lines. One county can span parts of two or
three zones. Every alert on this page carries the zone codes (like IDZ475) the National
Weather Service published it under; the NWS API documentation ↗
has the full zone lookup if you need the exact boundary for your area.
Check your county's actual status
Weather aside — is there a legal burn ban where you are right now?
Can I burn today? →Common questions
What does a Red Flag Warning mean?
It means the National Weather Service has confirmed that critical fire weather — low humidity, high heat, and sustained or gusty wind over dry fuels — is happening now or expected within 24 hours. Any ignition source can spread into a fast-moving fire under these conditions.
Is a Red Flag Warning a burn ban?
No. A Red Flag Warning is a National Weather Service forecast product. A burn ban is a legal order from a county, parish, fire chief, or governor. They are issued independently — check your county's actual status separately.
What is the difference between a Fire Weather Watch and a Red Flag Warning?
A Fire Weather Watch means dangerous fire conditions are possible in the next 12–72 hours — a heads-up. A Red Flag Warning means those conditions are happening now or arriving within 24 hours. A Watch often upgrades to a Warning as the event gets closer.
Who issues a Red Flag Warning?
The National Weather Service, through its local forecast offices. Each Warning names the issuing office (e.g. "NWS Pocatello ID") and covers specific fire weather zones, not county or state boundaries.
What should I avoid doing during a Red Flag Warning?
Avoid anything that can throw a spark on dry vegetation: outdoor burning of any kind, dragging chains or equipment, welding or grinding outdoors, parking on dry grass, and unattended campfires or cigarettes. If your county is also under a burn ban, all outdoor burning is illegal regardless of the weather.
What fire weather zone do I live in?
NWS fire weather zones follow terrain and climate, not county lines — one county can span several. Check the zone code on any active alert above, or use the National Weather Service's own zone lookup tools.