FIRE RISK IS EXTREME. COLD AIR. LOW HUMIDITY. DROUGHT.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The cold, dry air combined with the ongoing drought have combined — leading the National Weather Service to issue a “red flag” warning. effective from 9 a.m. through 7 p.m.. The concern: conditions that could lead to rapid and unpredictable fire growth.
The warning covers the metro areas of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade all the way inland to the Glades and Hendry County lake regions. Coastal areas aren’t exempt either, with Collier and Mainland Monroe counties included in the high-risk zone.
Northwest winds are expected to sustain at 10 to 20 mph, with sudden gusts reaching up to 30 mph. Pair ths with relative humidity levels as low as 24 percent and temperatures hovering in the low 60s, and even a small spark from a cigarette butt or a lawnmower blade hitting a rock can ignite a brush fire that spreads fast.
Local fire officials are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid any outdoor burning or activities that produce sparks while the warning remains in effect. A Red Flag Warning is the highest level of fire alert, signifying that extreme fire behavior is either already occurring or is imminent.
