Fire Weather Watch Issued for Houston on Monday

Gusty winds and low humidity raise wildfire risk in the region.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:06pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for the Houston and Galveston areas on Monday, March 17, 2026. Very dry air and strong winds up to 45 mph are expected, creating dangerous fire conditions. CenterPoint Energy is preparing its workforce to respond to any potential power outages, and officials are urging residents to be cautious with any activities that could spark a fire.

Why it matters

Houston and the surrounding region are prone to wildfires, especially during periods of low humidity and high winds. This fire weather watch is an important alert to residents to take precautions and be prepared in case any fires break out, which could threaten homes and businesses in the area.

The details

The National Weather Service says the fire weather watch will be in effect from Monday morning through Monday evening. Forecasters predict very dry air and gusty winds of 35 to 45 mph, which can quickly spread any fires that start. CenterPoint Energy has enhanced its workforce of over 900 frontline workers to respond to potential power outages or other impacts. Officials are advising residents to avoid any activities that could create sparks, obey burn bans, and report any fires immediately to local authorities.

  • The fire weather watch will be in effect on Monday, March 17, 2026 from morning through evening.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing alerts and watches for dangerous weather conditions.

CenterPoint Energy

The electric and natural gas utility company serving the Houston metropolitan area, which is preparing its workforce to respond to potential power outages caused by the fire weather conditions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This fire weather watch is a serious warning for Houston residents to be extremely cautious with any activities that could spark a wildfire during the dry, windy conditions expected on Monday. Heeding the advice of officials and taking proper precautions could help prevent a dangerous and destructive fire outbreak in the region.