Critical Fire Weather Conditions Declared West of Houston

A red flag warning is in effect Wednesday afternoon as strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation heighten wildfire risks in Southeast Texas.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for counties west of Houston from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday due to critical fire weather conditions.
Sustained winds of 10-20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, combined with low humidity levels of 14-20%, are driving the elevated wildfire risk.
Residents in affected counties, including Austin, Brazos, Fort Bend, and Matagorda, are urged to follow burn bans and avoid activities that could spark fires.
A cold front moving through the region is bringing cooler temperatures, with highs dropping from near 80 degrees Wednesday to the 60s by Thursday.
Hazardous coastal conditions, including an increased risk of rip currents, are also being reported due to elevated winds along the Texas coast.