# Why is a fire danger warning called a"Red Flag" warning?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-fire-danger-warning-called-a-red-flag-warning/719316>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 5, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-fire-danger-warning-called-a-red-flag-warning/719316 "2015-05-05T15:09:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-fire-danger-warning-called-a-red-flag-warning/719316/1 "2015-05-05T15:09:51Z")

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It doesn’t really make sense to me. All the other weather warning names are self explanatory. For example, a hurricane warning forecasts a hurricane. Why don’t they call it a “fire danger” or “fire weather” warning?

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**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-fire-danger-warning-called-a-red-flag-warning/719316/2 "2015-05-05T15:24:51Z")

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The National Weather Service (NWS) has both Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches.

[What are Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches?](http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tae/?n=redflag)

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-fire-danger-warning-called-a-red-flag-warning/719316/3 "2015-05-05T15:29:31Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> **Red Flag Warning** A term used by fire-weather forecasters to call attention to limited weather conditions of particular importance that may result in extreme burning conditions. It is issued when it is an on-going event or the fire weather forecaster has a high degree of confidence that Red Flag criteria will occur within 24 hours of issuance. Red Flag criteria occurs whenever a geographical area has been in a dry spell for a week or two, or for a shorter period , if before spring green-up or after fall color, and the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) is high to extreme and the following forecast weather parameters are forecasted to be met:
> 
> [ol]  
> [li] a sustained wind average 15 mph or greater[/li][li] relative humidity less than or equal to 25 percent and[/li][li] a temperature of greater than 75 degrees F.[/li][/ol]  
> In some states, dry lightning and unstable air are criteria. A Fire Weather Watch may be issued prior to the Red Flag Warning.

[http://w1.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?word=red+flag+warning](http://w1.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?word=red+flag+warning)

Historically it comes from land managers raising a red flag near the ranger station to inform others of dangerous conditions.