005
WWUS83 KLOT 180332
RFWLOT
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
932 PM CST TUE FEB 17 2026
..A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY
THE COMBINATION OF UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES (HIGHS IN THE
60S), DRY CONDITIONS (RH VALUES AROUND 15-25%), AND GUSTY WEST-
SOUTHWEST WINDS (GUSTING AROUND 35-40 MPH) WILL LEAD TO AN
ELEVATED FIRE DANGER ON WEDNESDAY. WHILE FUEL MOISTURES MAY BE
MORE QUESTIONABLE IN SOME AREAS, LOCAL FIRE AGENCIES INDICATE
THAT FINER FUELS ARE PRIMED AND COULD LEAD TO RAPID FIRE SPREAD
IN THESE CONDITIONS. FOR THIS REASON, A FIRE WEATHER WATCH HAS
BEEN ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS ON WEDNESDAY.
CONFIDENCE IN RED FLAG WARNING CRITERIA BEING MET IS CURRENTLY
HIGHEST ALONG AND NORTH OF INTERSTATE 88.
ILZ003>006-008-010>014-019>022-181145-
/O.CON.KLOT.FW.A.0001.260218T1500Z-260219T0200Z/
WINNEBAGO-BOONE-MCHENRY-LAKE IL-OGLE-LEE-DE KALB-KANE-DUPAGE-COOK-
LA SALLE-KENDALL-GRUNDY-WILL-
932 PM CST TUE FEB 17 2026
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM CST WEDNESDAY
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...
* AFFECTED AREA...WINNEBAGO, BOONE, MCHENRY, LAKE IL, OGLE, LEE,
DE KALB, KANE, DUPAGE, COOK, LA SALLE, KENDALL, GRUNDY AND
WILL.
* TIMING...FROM 9 AM CST WEDNESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING.
* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 TO 45 MPH.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 15 PERCENT.
* IMPACTS...ANY FIRE THAT DEVELOPS WILL CATCH AND SPREAD
QUICKLY. OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS.
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