National Weather Service Issues Red Flag Warning for Pasco and Other Counties Until April 21, 2026

A sign in the Yosemite national park warns residents of the high wildfire danger in summer

April 20, 2026
NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin, FL

CRITICALLY LOW HUMIDITY WITH GUSTY WINDS AND A MODERATE SIGNIFICANT FIRE POTENTIAL WILL RESULT IN AN ELEVATED FIRE DANGER TODAY AND AGAIN ON TUESDAY

The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Tuesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

AFFECTED AREA…Sumter, Pinellas, Polk, Hardee, Highlands,
DeSoto, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Hillsborough,
Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte, Coastal
Lee, Inland Hernando, Inland Pasco, Inland Hillsborough,
Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Inland Charlotte and Inland
Lee.
TIMING…From 11 AM to 8 PM EDT on Tuesday.
WINDS…East 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 31 percent.
IMPACTS…Any fire that develops will catch and spread
quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended!