North Platte, Nebraska – Any spark across western and north central Nebraska could explode into a fast-moving wildfire by midday as near-record warmth, dry air and gusty winds peak through early evening.
According to the National Weather Service in North Platte, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect from noon CST (11 a.m. MST) until 6 p.m. CST (5 p.m. MST) Sunday for all of western and north central Nebraska, including the Eastern Panhandle, Sandhills, Niobrara Valley, Loup Rivers Basin, Frenchman Basin and Loess Plains.
Temperatures will climb to 69 degrees, unusually warm for mid-February, while relative humidity drops as low as 14 percent. Southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph will gust up to 30 mph, accelerating the spread of any fire that ignites in dry grasses or brush.
Areas including Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Nebraska National Forest are especially vulnerable due to open terrain and cured fuels. Fire officials warn that even small ignitions from equipment, vehicles or outdoor activity could grow rapidly.
Residents are urged to avoid all outdoor burning, secure trailer chains and keep vehicles off dry grass. Critical conditions will ease after sunset, but fire crews remain on alert until humidity recovers later tonight.
