URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 1230 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...Critical Fire Weather Conditions Today... 1230 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR CRITICAL FIRE DANGER... The National Weather Service in Quad Cities has issued a Red Flag Warning for strong winds, low relative humidity, and plentiful dry vegetation, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM CST this evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Portions of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois * TIMING...From Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Fire behavior is expected to be extreme. 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.