Red Flag Warning
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
510 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
...Critical Fire Weather Conditions Today...
IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-181915-
/O.CON.KDVN.FW.W.0001.260218T1600Z-260219T0200Z/
Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson-
Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson-
Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll-
Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson-
Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark-
510 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR CRITICAL FIRE DANGER...
* AFFECTED AREA...Portions of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois
* TIMING...From Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening.
* WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly.
Fire behavior is expected to be extreme. Outdoor burning is not
recommended.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.
&&
$$
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
436 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
ILZ027>031-036>038-041-190200-
/O.CON.KILX.FW.W.0001.260218T1600Z-260219T0200Z/
Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Mason-
436 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTH
CENTRAL ILLINOIS...
* AFFECTED AREA...Knox, Stark, Peoria, Marshall, Woodford,
Fulton, Tazewell, McLean and Mason.
* TIMING...From 10 AM this morning to 8 PM CST this evening.
* 20 FOOT WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.
* 10 HOUR FUELS...Less than 9 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread
quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.
&&
$$
Copple
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Chicago IL
100 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
ILZ003>005-008-010>012-019>021-181500-
/O.UPG.KLOT.FW.A.0001.260218T1500Z-260219T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KLOT.FW.W.0001.260218T1600Z-260219T0200Z/
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-La Salle-Kendall-
Grundy-
100 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM CST
THIS EVENING...
The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM CST
this evening. This replaces the Fire Weather Watch that was
previously in effect.
* Affected Area...Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, Lee, De Kalb,
Kane, La Salle, Kendall and Grundy.
* Timing...From 10 AM this morning to 8 PM CST this evening.
* Winds...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 to 45 mph.
* Relative Humidity...As low as 15 to 20 percent.
* Impacts...Any fire that develops will catch and spread
quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.
&&
$$
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Chicago IL
100 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
ILZ032-181500-
/O.NEW.KLOT.FW.W.0001.260218T1600Z-260219T0200Z/
Livingston-
100 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM CST
THIS EVENING...
The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM CST
this evening.
* Affected Area...Livingston.
* Timing...From 10 AM this morning to 8 PM CST this evening.
* Winds...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* Relative Humidity...As low as 17 to 20 percent.
* Impacts...Any fire that develops will catch and spread
quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.
&&
$$
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
108 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
ILZ006-013-023-033-039-103>108-181600-
Lake IL-DuPage-Kankakee-Iroquois-Ford-Northern Cook-Central Cook-
Southern Cook-Northern Will-Southern Will-Eastern Will-
Including the cities of Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein,
Gurnee, Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard,
Carol Stream, Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Watseka, Gilman,
Paxton, Gibson City, Evanston, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Palatine,
Northbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, La Grange,
Calumet City, Oak Forest, Lemont, Orland Park, Park Forest,
Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Mokena, Channahon, Manhattan,
Wilmington, Crete, Peotone, and Beecher
108 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
...Elevated Fire Danger Today...
The combination of unseasonably warm temperatures, low relative
humidity and gusty westerly winds will lead to a heightened
threat of brush fire ignition and spread this afternoon.
Any fires that ignite may become difficult to control. Outdoor
burning is strongly discouraged.
$$
KJB
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
535 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
ILZ027>031-036>038-041-191200-
Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Mason-
535 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois and west
central Illinois.
.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect from late morning until early evening
today for high fire danger due to west winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts
up to 35 mph, and low relative humidity. Open burning should be
avoided.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday
afternoon, with damaging winds the primary concern.
There is a slight chance of snow over the weekend.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight.
$$
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
535 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
ILZ040-047>050-191200-
Schuyler-Cass-Menard-Scott-Morgan-
535 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois and west
central Illinois.
.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.
Breezy conditions and low relative humidity are expected this
afternoon and will lead increased fire danger. Open burning should
be avoided.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
While a few strong thunderstorms may contain hail late Thursday
morning, the main severe weather risk will be during the afternoon
hours. Damaging wind gusts are the main concern.
There is a slight chance of light snow over the weekend.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight.
$$
37
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
535 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
ILZ042>046-051>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-191200-
Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-
Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-
Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence-
535 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east
central Illinois and southeast Illinois.
.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.
Breezy conditions and low relative humidity are expected this
afternoon and will lead increased fire danger, primarily north of
I-70. Open burning should be avoided.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
While a few strong thunderstorms may contain hail late Thursday
morning, the main severe weather risk will be during the afternoon
and early evening hours. Damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes are
the main concern.
There is a slight chance of light snow over the weekend.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight.
$$
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
503 AM EST Wed Feb 18 2026
INZ005>009-012>015-017-018-020-022>027-032>034-103-104-116-203-204-
216-MIZ078>081-177-277-OHZ001-002-004-005-015-016-024-025-191015-
Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-De Kalb-Starke-Pulaski-Marshall-
Fulton IN-Whitley-Allen IN-White-Cass IN-Miami-Wabash-Huntington-
Wells-Adams-Grant-Blackford-Jay-Northern La Porte-
Eastern St. Joseph IN-Northern Kosciusko-Southern La Porte-
Western St. Joseph IN-Southern Kosciusko-Cass MI-St. Joseph MI-
Branch-Hillsdale-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-Williams-
Fulton OH-Defiance-Henry-Paulding-Putnam-Van Wert-Allen OH-
503 AM EST Wed Feb 18 2026 /403 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026/
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana, southwest
Michigan and northwest Ohio.
.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.
Much above normal warmth and gusty southwest winds will aid in
elevated fire concerns later this afternoon/early evening west of US
31. Please avoid outdoor burning!
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
A few storms are possible Thursday evening into Thursday night mainly
along and south of US 30. Wind gusts would be the primary concern in
any storms. Severe weather chances are very low.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
$$
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
337 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-190945-
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-
La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford-
Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will-
Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton-
337 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026 /437 AM EST Wed Feb 18 2026/
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.
Weather hazards expected...
Significant Fire Weather Risk.
Elevated Non-Thunderstorm Wind Risk.
DISCUSSION...
The combination of unseasonably warm and exceptionally dry
conditions and gusty winds will result in a significant risk for
grass and brush fire spread this afternoon.
West southwest winds will gust to 35 to 45 mph today.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
Thursday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 2 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation will not be necessary through tonight.
$$
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
326 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-190930-
Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson-
Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson-
Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll-
Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson-
Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark-
326 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northwest Illinois...west central Illinois...east
central Iowa...northeast Iowa...southeast Iowa and northeast
Missouri.
.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT
Warm temperatures, strong winds, low relative humidities, and
dried vegetation will combine to result in a critical fire weather
conditions today. A Red Flag Warning is in effect.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY
There is a chance for thunderstorms across portions of the outlook
area late Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening. Strong to
severe storms cannot be ruled out at this time.
Colder air working in behind the storm system late Thursday night
and Friday will bring a chance of rain mixing with or changing to
light snow for parts of the area. Any snow accumulations are
likely to be light.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight.
$$
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service St Louis MO
315 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
ILZ058>060-064-065-069-070-074-079-095>102-MOZ018-019-026-027-
034>036-041-042-047>052-059>065-072>075-084-085-099-190915-
Greene IL-Macoupin IL-Montgomery IL-Bond IL-Fayette IL-Clinton IL-
Marion IL-Washington IL-Randolph IL-Adams IL-Brown IL-Pike IL-
Calhoun IL-Jersey IL-Madison IL-Saint Clair IL-Monroe IL-Knox MO-
Lewis MO-Shelby MO-Marion MO-Monroe MO-Ralls MO-Pike MO-Boone MO-
Audrain MO-Moniteau MO-Cole MO-Osage MO-Callaway MO-Montgomery MO-
Lincoln MO-Gasconade MO-Warren MO-Saint Charles MO-Franklin MO-
Saint Louis MO-Saint Louis City MO-Jefferson MO-Crawford MO-
Washington MO-Saint Francois MO-Sainte Genevieve MO-Iron MO-
Madison MO-Reynolds MO-
315 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of eastern and
central Missouri as well as west central and southwest Illinois.
.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.
Elevated fire danger is expected north of I-70 today.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
Thunderstorms are possible on Thursday, mainly east of the
Mississippi River. Damaging winds and tornadoes are the primary
threat. Further west, another round of Elevated Fire Danger is
expected in central and southern Missouri.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
$$
Kimble
