Red-Flag Fire Warning Issued for Seminole County, East-Central Florida Until 6 p.m.

A National Weather Service red-flag warning covering Seminole County and parts of east-central Florida remained in effect until 6 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2026, listing Volusia, Lake, Seminole, Orange, Osceola and north Brevard counties among those affected. Some outlets reported the alert was active from 1 to 6 p.m., and the NWS assessment warned elevated spread potential for any fires that develop.

Meteorological details accompanying the warning showed southwest winds sustaining around 15 mph with gusts up to 20-25 mph and relative humidity in the 30-35 percent range. FOX 35 quoted the NWS: “Fires that develop will likely spread rapidly,” and noted Volusia County’s guidance that red-flag warnings “are issued if relative humidity falls below 35% for four hours or more.”

The warning was framed in broader risk terms: FOX 35 reported that “red flag warnings are associated with the largest 10% of fires,” and Florida Today cited the National Weather Service: “A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now….or will shortly,” the NWS says. The International Association of Fire Chiefs told Florida Today the combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures “results in an increased risk for a wildland fire or rapid-fire growth if an incident were to occur.”

Counties named in the various alerts varied by bulletin and outlet. WESH listed Fire Weather Warnings for Orange, Lake, Seminole, Volusia, Marion, Sumter, Osceola and Flagler counties and said watches had been issued for nearly all of Central Florida; that broader list may reflect separate NWS products or different issuance times. Multiple outlets consistently reported the end time of 6 p.m., while FOX 35 and Yahoo specifically cited a 1 to 6 p.m. active window.

The red-flag warning arrived against worsening statewide dryness. FOX 35 and Florida Today referenced U.S. Drought Monitor images dated Feb. 26 showing expanded drought areas, and Florida Today noted freezing conditions earlier in February killed plants and trees, leaving drier fuels. County burn bans were widespread: Florida Today reported 35 of Florida’s 67 counties had county-enacted burn bans in effect as of Feb. 17 and that those burn bans “are still in effect for 35 of Florida’s 67 counties as of Feb. 26.” Earlier in the week, Florida Today said red-flag warnings had been issued for 33 of the state’s 67 counties.

Local response and recent incidents underscored the risk. FOX 35 reported the Orlando Fire Department fought a fire on Arnold Palmer Drive on Feb. 23, and outlets pointed readers to the Florida Forest Service for lists of active fires across the state. WESH’s forecast added that a small amount of rain on Sunday would do little to alleviate the drought and warned of overnight lows dipping into the 30s and wind chills into the 20s later in the week.

Officials and agencies urged residents to avoid outdoor burning, keep vehicles off dry grass, properly discard cigarettes and call 911 to report any fires. For the most current legal guidance, the Florida Forest Service and county burn-ban pages and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services remain the places to confirm active bans, and the National Weather Service bulletins provide exact zone and timing details for any Fire Weather Watches or Red Flag Warnings.