The National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley has issued a Red
Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from noon to 10 PM CDT Thursday. The Fire Weather Watch is
no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Jefferson, Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, and
Richardson Counties.

* TIMING...From noon to 10 PM CDT Thursday.

* WINDS...North 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 24 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

The Fire Weather Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Omaha/Valley NE on this developing situation.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

The following is transmitted in collaboration with the Nebraska
Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska
Department of Environment and Energy...

WHAT...Air Quality Alert

WHERE...Eastern Nebraska

WHEN... 03/25/2026 10:00 PM until 03/26/2026 10:00 AM

POLLUTANT...PM 2.5 particulates

AIR QUALITY INDEX...Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

An alert for possible Moderate (Air Quality Index yellow category)
to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI (Air Quality Index orange
category) due to smoke has been issued for the following Nebraska
counties: Burt, Butler, Cass, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas,
Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee,
Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thurston, and
Washington, from March 25, 10:00 pm through March 26, 10:00 am.

During Moderate (AQI yellow category) conditions, those who are
unusually sensitive to particle pollution may experience health
effects, and are advised to minimize prolonged or heavy exertion.
Symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath are signs to take
it easier.

During Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange category)
conditions, members of sensitive groups may experience health
effects. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung
disease, older adults, children/teens, pregnant women, and those
who are active outdoors. Members of sensitive groups are advised
to minimize prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and take more
breaks.

Smoke from prescribed burning may affect the air quality in
Nebraska.  Smoke levels and wind directions are monitored by
Nebraska and other states to predict when impacts to the air
quality may occur.

Information regarding prescribed burning impacts is available from
the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE)
at https://dee.nebraska.gov/smoke-and-air-quality.

Alerts are based on data available from weather forecasts, smoke
plume modeling, satellite imagery, and from air quality monitors
located in Omaha, Bellevue, Blair, Lincoln, Beatrice, Grand
Island, and Scottsbluff.

Advisories for smoke and air quality are issued for affected areas
by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and
Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) and posted on
agency webpages and social media sites.  By notifying the media
and local health departments, alerts help citizens protect their
health by informing them of days where outdoor activities should
be reduced or avoided to minimize exposure to smoke.