Red flag warning issued for entire Tampa Bay area: What that means for our wildfire risk

A red flag warning has been issued for the entire Tampa Bay area for Tuesday, April 21, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

TAMPA, Fla. — A red flag warning has been issued for the entire Tampa Bay area as Florida continues to experience some of the worst drought conditions in years.

According to the National Weather Service, the warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, for several central Florida counties, including:

Citrus CountyHernando CountyHighlands CountyHillsborough CountyManatee CountyPasco CountyPinellas CountyPolk CountySarasota County

The Tampa Bay area was under a fire weather watch before the red flag warning was issued. So, what’s the difference, and what should you do to prepare?

Fire weather watch vs. red flag warning definition

Both red flag warnings and fire weather watches are issued to alert agencies that dry weather conditions could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity. Those conditions include strong winds, low humidity and dry vegetation. 

In Florida, the specific criteria for a fire weather watch or red flag warning are:

Relative humidity of less than 28%Winds 15 mph or higherAn Energy Release Component (ERC) of 26 or higher. ERC is used to measure the intensity of a fire.

“If the environment were to be compared to a charcoal grill, the ERC could be seen as a measure of how many briquettes are in the grill,” the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services wrote.

The difference between a red flag warning and a fire weather watch is in the timing.

A fire weather watch is issued when those specific fire risk conditions are expected to be met during the next 24 to 48 hours. 

A red flag warning is issued when those fire risk conditions have already been met or will happen within the next 24 hours.

What to do under a red flag warning

Under both a fire weather watch or red flag warning, the National Weather Service says you should avoid open flames or sparks, keep vehicles and lawn mowers off dry grass and properly discard cigarettes. 

🔥 High fire danger through Tuesday as breezy northerly winds filter drier air into the area.
⚠️ A Red Flag Warning is in effect for parts of the area today, and a Fire Weather Watch on Tuesday.
🚫 Outdoor burning is discouraged; any fires will catch and spread quickly. #FLwx pic.twitter.com/x4dXVMcTWZ

— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) April 20, 2026