Fire weather threatens a large swath of the US

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Fire weather continues for a large swath of the US

Much of the central United States has experienced an early spring warmup over the past few days. However, with the added warmth came gusty winds and low relative humidity, a perfect recipe for fire weather. The panhandle of Oklahoma and across the border into Kansas battled wildfires for most of the day on February 17, 2026. And NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center issued areas of critical and elevated fire weather on February 18 for much of the high Southern Plains and parts of Iowa and surrounding states.

Today, February 19, NOAA’s forecast shows a slightly smaller risk area (see above), but many in the southwestern and central U.S. still face critical and elevated fire weather conditions.

Wildfires can start in various ways, and one thing you can do to help over the next few days is to delay any burning. One of the fires in the Southern Plains on Tuesday started after a seven-vehicle crash, while another appeared to have started from power lines that blew down in heavy winds.

Farmers were plowing fire lines in Oklahoma in an attempt to protect their livestock.

@krissyt254

These fires are breaking my heart ? #wildfire #pray #weatheraware #texas #oklahoma

? 11 Binaural Beats 1 Hz – August Son Productions

The following video is from storm chaser Brett Wright on Tuesday night. He wrote:

An intense wildfire just south east of Woodward, Oklahoma, this evening. Flames up to 200 feet [61 m] high.

@wxmstr

An intense wildfire just south east of Woodward Oklahoma this evening. Flames up to 200ft high.

? original sound – Storm Chaser Brett Wright

Forecast from NOAA

For the high Southern Plains, NOAA said on Wednesday morning:

As downslope flow peaks in intensity by mid to late afternoon, widespread 25 mph sustained westerly surface winds, with higher gusts, will overlap with 10-15% relative humidity (perhaps lower in some locales). The best chance for these conditions will be over northeast New Mexico into the Texas Panhandle and immediate surrounding areas.

Given very receptive fuels, high-end Critical conditions, supporting dangerous/rapid wildfire-spread potential, are expected. While Extremely Critical conditions are not expected to be widespread like the yesterday, spotty Extremely Critical conditions may be observed.

Otherwise, 15-20% relative humidity will overlap with 15-20 mph sustained west-southwesterly winds for several hours across much of the southern High Plains, warranting broad Elevated/Critical highlights.

For portions of the Midwest, NOAA said:

Before the surface low undergoes significant weakening, strong gradient flow will persist during the afternoon, when boundary-layer mixing will support a belt of overlapping 25 mph sustained westerly surface winds and 15-25% relative humidity for at least a few hours. These conditions will most likely be observed over central Iowa and immediate surrounding areas.

Such conditions are high-end Critical for the Midwest, especially when considering that yesterday’s precipitation has not yielded meaningful accumulations, which have also been lacking in the past few weeks.

Rapid, dangerous wildfire spread is possible wherever dry fuel beds exist, and a sparse instance of Extremely Critical conditions cannot be ruled out.

So, stay weather aware and keep up to date with your local National Weather Service office for changing conditions.

Bottom line: Critical fire weather will threaten much of the southwest and central United States on Thursday. Wildfires were already plaguing areas in Oklahoma and Kansas on Tuesday.

Read more: This Is Wildfire: Tips on preparing yourself and your home