Map shows states at critical fire risk as ‘red flag’ weather warning issued

The National Weather Services (NWS) has issued a “red flag” warning for several US states as temperatures climb well above seasonal norms.

In recent days, parts of the country have seen what officials describe as “unseasonably warm temperatures,” raising worries that wildfire conditions could return — coming a little over a year after the Los Angeles fires that destroyed more than 13,000 homes.

“Unseasonably warm temperatures continue today through the weekend across the Southwest and southern US, with more than 100 record or near record maximum temperatures forecast through the rest of the week and over the weekend,” the NWS said on Twitter on Friday.

By Saturday, red flag warnings were in place across 13 states. According to the NWS, a red flag warning means that “warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.”

The warning areas covered parts of the Carolinas and Georgia, along with regions of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico and Wyoming.

As of today (March 29), the NWS said some red flag warnings are set to stay active until Monday at 9pm MDT, including alerts for Southwest Wyoming and West Central Wyoming.

Forecasts indicate highs in the mid-60s to low-70s, while wind gusts may reach around 35mph today and increase to about 45mph tomorrow (March 30).

In its latest update, the NWS also listed Colorado’s Grand Junction, the Nebraska Panhandle and North Platte, and Rapid City, South Dakota, among locations that still remain under red flag warnings.

Residents in red-flagged areas are being advised to take extra care to prevent accidental fires. Guidance includes placing a weighted metal lid over burn barrels with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch (where burning is permitted), avoiding tossing cigarette ends or matches from vehicles, fully putting out outdoor fires, and never leaving flames unattended.

Earlier this week, meteorologists Bob Henson and Jeff Masters at Yale Climate Connections called the March heat levels “one of the most astounding global weather events of the century.”

They said (per Newsweek): “In one of the most astounding global weather events of the century thus far, hundreds of cities across the western and central United States and northern Mexico have endured their hottest March weather on record over the past week.”

Senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman made a similar point, saying: “The most prolific March heat wave in at least 14 years smashed monthly records in over 180 cities from the Southwest to the Plains and East, may have set new statewide March records in 16 states, and obliterated a national March heat record that stood for over 70 years.”