HOUSTON, Texas – Fire danger will surge across southeast Texas today as strong north winds and extremely dry air sweep through the region behind a powerful cold front. The National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston has issued a Red Flag Warning from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, followed by a Fire Weather Watch through Monday afternoon.
Forecasters warn that north winds of 15 to 25 mph, gusting up to 40 mph, and humidity as low as 15% inland will create conditions where fires can ignite and spread rapidly. The warning covers much of the region, including Houston, Galveston, College Station, Huntsville, Wharton, and Bay City, stretching from the Piney Woods to the Gulf Coast.
Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning, welding, or using open flames, and to secure trailers and chains that could spark along highways. Even coastal areas will experience very dry air, with humidity values dropping to 25–35% along the beaches. Local fire departments and emergency officials stress that any fire could quickly become uncontrollable under today’s conditions.
Winds will ease slightly Monday but humidity will remain low, keeping elevated fire danger across the area. Conditions are expected to improve by midweek as moisture slowly returns from the Gulf.
