Red Flag Warning Issued as Fire Danger Rises Across Alabama

Residents urged to take precautions as critical fire weather conditions are expected

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:13pm

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The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a 'Red Flag Warning' for West Alabama due to a combination of very low humidity, dry conditions, and gusty winds. The warning is in effect until Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m., and residents are urged to recognize the elevated fire danger and take the alert seriously.

Why it matters

Alabama has seen a significant increase in wildfires in recent days, with the Alabama Forestry Commission reporting 147 wildfires that have burned approximately 5,600 acres of forestland across the state in the last seven days. The Red Flag Warning is a critical alert that requires immediate action from residents to prevent further fires.

The details

The Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. Residents can expect wind gusts up to 35 mph, northeast winds from 10 to 15 mph, and relative humidity as low as 18%. The Alabama Forestry Commission has ranked the state's quadrants by fire risk, with the Northwest and Southwest regions being at 'Very High' and 'Extreme' risk, respectively.

  • The Red Flag Warning is in effect until Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m.
  • In the last seven days, 147 wildfires have burned approximately 5,600 acres of forestland across the state.

The players

National Weather Service in Birmingham

The local office of the National Weather Service that issued the Red Flag Warning for West Alabama.

Alabama Forestry Commission

The state agency responsible for managing and protecting Alabama's forests, which has reported a significant increase in wildfires across the state in recent days.

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What they’re saying

“To put this in perspective, the Alabama Forestry Commission has ranked the state's quadrants by fire risk.”

— Mary K., Weather Forecaster

What’s next

Residents in the affected areas should remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the outbreak of wildfires, such as avoiding open flames or sparks, keeping vehicles off dry grass, and properly discarding cigarettes.

The takeaway

The Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service highlights the critical fire danger facing Alabama, particularly in the Northwest and Southwest regions of the state. Residents must take this alert seriously and take immediate action to prevent the outbreak of potentially devastating wildfires.