Red Flag Warning issued for May 12, (NWS Hastings, Courtesy)
KEARNEY — A Red Flag Warning has been issued for parts of central Nebraska through the evening hours of Monday, May 12.
The National Weather Service – Hastings has issued the warning from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the risk of critical fire weather danger.
The counties under the warning include Valley, Greeley, Nance, Sherman, Howard, Merrick, Dawson, Buffalo, Hall, Gosper, Phelps, Kearney, Furnas, Harlan and Franklin.
The warning has been issued due to winds out of the south from 15-25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. Relative humidity amounts will be as low as 15 to 20 percent across the area.
“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,” per NWS Hastings.
Any fire that develops will spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Critical fire weather is expected throughout the week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
“For Wednesday, the worst conditions will be along and west of a line from Cozad to Kearney to Burr Oak. Thursday, near-critical to critical fire weather conditions will be possible for areas along and south of I-80,” per NWS Hastings.
