NWS Issues Special Statement For East Texas Wildfire Danger

Gusty winds and dry conditions raise fire risk in the Pineywoods region

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:04pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted earth tones, with the vast, hazy expanse of the East Texas Pineywoods dwarfing any visible structures or vegetation, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment.The looming threat of wildfire hangs over the East Texas Pineywoods as gusty winds and dry conditions create an elevated risk for the region.Jasper Today

The National Weather Service has released a statement concerning elevated wildfire danger in East Texas on Saturday due to gusty north winds, critically dry conditions, and low humidity. County-wide burn bans are in place for several counties, and outdoor burning is highly discouraged across the region despite recent scattered rainfall.

Why it matters

East Texas is in a moderate-to-severe drought, making the area particularly susceptible to the rapid spread of wildfires. The weather conditions on Saturday will create an elevated fire risk, potentially threatening homes, businesses, and natural habitats if any fires break out.

The details

The NWS statement covers extreme southeast Oklahoma, southwest and south-central Arkansas, northern and central Louisiana, and East Texas including the cities of Lufkin and Nacogdoches. Relative humidity is expected to be between 20-30% this afternoon, with sustained northeast to east winds around 10-15 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. Even though recent rains have provided some relief, the region is still considered critically dry, meaning any fires that start will be able to spread rapidly.

  • The elevated fire weather conditions are expected from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • Rain chances in East Texas will be increasing by Wednesday of the upcoming week, with widespread rainfall of an inch or more expected over the next week.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing public weather warnings and statements.

Shelby, Tyler, Jasper, and Newton Counties

Counties in East Texas that have implemented county-wide burn bans due to the elevated wildfire danger.

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What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. Residents in the affected areas are advised to avoid any outdoor burning or activities that could potentially spark a wildfire until the risk subsides.

The takeaway

This late-season wildfire threat in East Texas highlights the ongoing challenges posed by drought conditions and the need for vigilance when it comes to fire safety, even as the region looks forward to the arrival of more substantial rainfall in the coming days.