518
WWUS83 KLOT 181503
RFWLOT
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
903 AM CST WED FEB 18 2026
..RED FLAG WARNING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CHICAGO METRO
CONDITIONS WILL TURN VERY DRY AND WINDY THIS AFTERNOON, MAKING
CONDITIONS SUPPORTIVE OF BRUSH FIRE SPREAD. EVEN WITH RAINFALL
LAST NIGHT GENERALLY 0.05 TO 0.15 OF AN INCH ACROSS NORTHEASTERN
ILLINOIS, THE COMBINATION OF WARM, DRY, AND WINDY CONDITIONS WILL
CAUSE FINE FUELS TO DRY OUT BY EARLY AFTERNOON. AS A RESULT, THE
RED FLAG WARNING WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE COOK, DUPAGE, WILL,
KANKAKEE, AND LAKE (IL) COUNTIES UNTIL 8 PM THIS EVENING.
ILZ006-013-014-022-023-182315-
/O.EXA.KLOT.FW.W.0001.260218T1600Z-260219T0200Z/
LAKE IL-DUPAGE-COOK-WILL-KANKAKEE-
903 AM CST WED FEB 18 2026
..RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CST THIS EVENING
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING, WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CST THIS EVENING.
* AFFECTED AREA...LAKE IL, DUPAGE, COOK, WILL AND KANKAKEE.
* TIMING...UNTIL 8 PM CST THIS EVENING.
* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP 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.
ILZ003>005-008-010>012-019>021-032-182315-
/O.CON.KLOT.FW.W.0001.260218T1600Z-260219T0200Z/
WINNEBAGO-BOONE-MCHENRY-OGLE-LEE-DE KALB-KANE-LA SALLE-KENDALL-
GRUNDY-LIVINGSTON-
903 AM CST WED FEB 18 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
* AFFECTED AREA...WINNEBAGO, BOONE, MCHENRY, OGLE, LEE, DE KALB,
KANE, LA SALLE, KENDALL, GRUNDY AND LIVINGSTON.
* TIMING...UNTIL 8 PM CST THIS EVENING.
* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 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.
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