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.

CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHWEST THROUGH CENTRAL NEBRASKA... The National Weather Service in North Platte has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low humidity, which is in effect from noon CST /11 AM MST/ today to 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 209 Loup Rivers Basin, Fire Weather Zone 210 Frenchman Basin and Fire Weather Zone 219 Loess Plains. * TIMING...Saturday 12 PM to 6 PM CST. * WINDS...West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 14 percent for Zones 210 and 219, primarily south of Highway 23. As low as 19 percent in Custer and Loup Counties. * TEMPERATURES...Highs in the middle to upper 60s. * LIGHTNING...Not expected. * IMPACTS...Any fire start will be capable of spreading rapidly and be difficult to control.