For Tuesday's updates on power outages and local wildfires, click here.
Tuesday's forecast includes low humidity levels, powerful winds and lots of sun: all the ingredients for wildfires to ignite and spread.
National Weather Service officials said the conditions are dangerous and "potentially historic." A red flag warning for all of South Central Texas is in effect until Tuesday at 9 p.m. A map of the area at risk is available here.
Meteorologists are expecting 30 mph sustained winds with gusts up to 55 mph. Humidity levels are expected to drop to 15% – in other words, the air will be super dry. (The threshold for a red flag warning is if sustained winds are at least 20 mph and humidity levels are below 20%.)
NWS meteorologist Harrison Tran said the rain Tuesday morning didn't significantly lower the wildfire risk.
"With the winds and just how dry it's going to be this afternoon ... those wet grasses from the morning are going to dry out pretty easily," he said.
The entire region is at risk, but grass fires are especially likely.
"When the humidity is as low as it's gonna be [Tuesday], it's pulling all of the water out of the real light fuel [grass, for example], making it just ready to burn," said Chris Dibrell, fire adapted communities coordinator for the Austin Wildfire Division. "By the time we get to [the afternoon] those grasses are going to be crunchy."
The conditions are ideal for embers from a cigarette, a chain on the back of a truck or sparks from machinery to ignite dry vegetation and be carried for over a mile.
“Here’s the reality of the situation … if we do get a series of fires started, it will quickly overwhelm our resources,” Dibrell said. “This is what happened in California and out West.”
Dangerous, potentially historic, extreme fire weather conditions are forecast Tuesday across our area. Very strong winds and low humidity will support the rapid spread and difficult suppression of any wildfires that may ignite. Avoid activities that could cause a wildfire! #txwx pic.twitter.com/gYa7fsIVLA
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) March 3, 2025
Dibrell said the city is adding more staff and fire trucks into service. The state has also deployed response teams in areas at risk.
But it’s up to the community to prevent fires from happening in the first place: 9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by people, according to the NWS.
“Don’t be that guy,” Dibrell said. “[I don’t know] how many times I’ve [seen] fires over the years that were started by improperly disposed cigarettes or smoking materials.”
Dibrell said using a smoker or grill on the grass instead of gravel or a paved surface is also a common fire starter.
The department is urging folks to protect their homes by cleaning gutters, moving any flammable patio furniture indoors and creating at least 5 feet of “defensible space” between the house and any vegetation or combustible materials.
Dibrell said apartment dwellers should also remove any flammable materials, like chairs or doormats, from their porches.
He said everyone should have an evacuation plan, along with a go bag containing 72 hours' worth of essentials, such as clothes, medications and valuables.
Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard said residents should connect with their neighbors.
"To know who’s on oxygen, who needs medication, who doesn’t have air conditioning?" she said. "The more we know our neighbors the more resilient we can be in times of disaster."
The Texas A&M Forest Service has a guide with tips on how to assemble your go bag, plan your evacuation route, and other advice here.
Travis County Judge Andy Brown signed a disaster declaration and issued a burn ban Monday due to the high wildfire risk. He said the declaration allows the county to make necessary preparations to evacuate neighborhoods and tap into state resources.
"While we hope for the best-case scenario, the Disaster Declaration will help prepare our wildfire response for the worst-case scenario,” Brown said in a statement. “Even a small spark can spread rapidly and pose a serious threat to our homes and businesses. I ask all Travis County residents to avoid outdoor burning, keep cars off dry grass, and properly store trailer chains, so we can all do our part to minimize the risk of wildfires."
Winds will return to normal by Wednesday, but vegetation will still be dry and susceptible to catching fire until the weekend, Dibrell said.
Follow the latest tweets from the NWS below.
