Elevated Fire Risk in Advance of Temperature Drop

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 6:29 AM

By Scott McCaulley @smcckc

Photo courtesy National Weather Service Springfield

Ahead of a front that will send temperatures back to normal this weekend, warm, dry air and gusty winds have elevated the fire risk for today and Thursday.

National Weather Service Forecasters caution against outdoor burning today and there is a Fire Weather Watch in effect for Thursday for parts of northern Arkansas including Carroll and Madison Counties. Winds speeds will slow this afternoon but are expected to gust above 30 MPH tomorrow.

Cooler air begins to come in Friday and there is a slight chance of rain Saturday before Sunday temperatures will be the coldest in two weeks with lows in the 20s and highs in the 40s.

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Elevated Fire Risk in Advance of Temperature Drop

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