Red Flag Warning Issued for South Alabama Amid Dry, Windy Conditions

State forestry crews on high alert as risk of wildfires increases due to lack of rain and high winds.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The National Weather Service has issued a red flag advisory for outdoor burning in south Alabama, including Baldwin County, due to dry weather, lack of rain, and high winds. Alabama State Forestry crews are on high alert and are asking residents not to burn any trash or debris until conditions improve. The posted burn notice in Baldwin County has jumped from moderate risk to very high over the last 24 hours.

Why it matters

The combination of low humidity, high winds, and minimal rainfall has created an elevated risk of wildfires in the region. State forestry officials are concerned that any outdoor burning could quickly get out of control, leading to property damage and potential threats to public safety. This advisory highlights the need for residents to be extra cautious with any open flames or burning activities during this period of heightened fire danger.

The details

Several weather factors are contributing to the elevated fire risk, including very low humidity, high gusting winds, and poor overnight humidity recovery. February has seen just one inch of rain so far, with the year's total rainfall sitting over six inches below normal. Some counties in the area are already experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions. While some scheduled and permitted controlled burns are still underway, forestry officials are asking residents with burn permits to hold off until conditions improve.

  • The red flag burn advisory was issued on February 23, 2026.
  • So far this year, state forestry crews have responded to 71 fires in Mobile and Baldwin County, which have burned 1,003 acres.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency that issued the red flag advisory for outdoor burning in south Alabama.

Alabama State Forestry

The state agency responsible for managing and responding to wildfires, which is on high alert due to the elevated fire risk.

Andy Reier

The Baldwin County Forester who provided details on the weather conditions and fire risk in the region.

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What they’re saying

“We're seeing really low humidity, high gust winds and not very good recovery at night. When I say recovery, we're meaning the humidity at night. Normally we like to see it ninety to a hundred percent. Last night we were around fifty. Tonight, will be around seventy, so that just means whatever's burning today isn't necessarily going to extinguish itself tonight.”

— Andy Reier, Baldwin County Forester (fox10tv.com)

“While we've got a lot of people who have…that are doing prescribed burns to make their living off it, Alabama's a right to burn state, we just ask and encourage people to hold off on that and just to wait until conditions improve and we can have some better weather, have some more available resources in the event something happens.”

— Andy Reier, Baldwin County Forester (fox10tv.com)

What’s next

The red flag burn advisory is expected to remain in effect until the current weather pattern changes, allowing for improved humidity and lower fire risk.

The takeaway

This advisory highlights the heightened wildfire danger in south Alabama due to the combination of dry, windy conditions and minimal rainfall. It serves as an important reminder for residents to exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning activities until the regional weather pattern shifts and the fire risk subsides.