Key facts
- Alert
- Red Flag Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service offices: New Orleans LA, Shreveport LA, Lake Charles LA
- Areas
- Pointe Coupee; West Feliciana; East Feliciana; St. Helena; Washington; Iberville; West Baton Rouge; East Baton Rouge; Assumption; St. James; Northern Tangipahoa; Southeast St. Tammany; Northern St. Tammany; Southwestern St. Tammany; Central Tangipahoa; Lower Tangipahoa; Northern Livingston; Southern Livingston; Western Ascension; Eastern Ascension; Wilkinson; Amite; Pike; Walthall; Pearl River; Hancock; Harrison; Jackson; Lincoln; Union; Ouachita; Natchitoches; Winn; Grant; Caldwell; La Salle; Allen; Evangeline; St. Landry; Lafayette; Upper St. Martin; Lower St. Martin; West Cameron; East Cameron; Northern Calcasieu; Northern Jefferson Davis; Northern Acadia; Upper Vermilion; Upper Iberia; Upper St. Mary; Southern Calcasieu; Southern Jefferson Davis; Southern Acadia; Lower Vermilion; Lower Iberia; Lower St. Mary; Hardin; Southern Jasper; Southern Newton; Upper Jefferson; Northern Orange;
- In effect
- until 8:00 PM CDT, Oct 17, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.”
National Weather Service offices: New Orleans LA, Shreveport LA, Lake Charles LA, Red Flag Warning, 3:27 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
“Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.”
National Weather Service offices: New Orleans LA, Shreveport LA, Lake Charles LA, Red Flag Warning, 3:27 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not burn anything outdoors during the warning. That includes yard debris, trash and campfires. The National Weather Service says any fire that starts can spread quickly.
Avoid anything that can throw a spark. Dispose of cigarettes safely and never toss them from a vehicle. Be careful with equipment that can ignite dry grass.
Stay alert to changing conditions and follow any local evacuation orders right away. Report any fire you see to local emergency services.
Context
The National Weather Service says the cold front will bring very dry air, windy conditions and current drought conditions. Together with ample dry fuel, these conditions allow fires to spread quickly.
FEMA flood-insurance claims and disaster declarations in the PACK relate to past flood and storm events, not fire. For example, Pointe Coupee Parish has 1,913 flood-insurance claims on record, which count only insured homes and businesses, and a declaration for Tropical Storm Arthur on June 30, 2026.
Updates
- The red flag warning is no longer in effect.
- The National Weather Service updated the red flag warning; it remains in effect until 8:00 PM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the red flag warning; it remains in effect until 7:00 PM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the red flag warning; it remains in effect until 7:00 PM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the red flag warning; it remains in effect until 8:00 PM CDT.
- National Weather Service offices: New Orleans LA, Lake Charles LA, Shreveport LA issued the red flag warning until 8:00 PM CDT.
History here
This county: 1913 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4927 (2026): tropical storm arthur
- DR-4611 (2021): hurricane ida
- DR-4590 (2021): severe winter storms
- DR-4577 (2021): hurricane zeta
- DR-4570 (2020): hurricane delta
This county: 371 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2025.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4817 (2024): hurricane francine
- DR-4611 (2021): hurricane ida
- DR-4590 (2021): severe winter storms
- DR-4577 (2021): hurricane zeta
- DR-4570 (2020): hurricane delta
This county: 110 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2022.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a Red Flag Warning in southern Mississippi?
- Yes. The National Weather Service has a Red Flag Warning for all of southern Mississippi and parts of southeast Louisiana from 9 AM to 8 PM CDT Saturday.
- What are the wind and humidity conditions in the Red Flag Warning?
- The National Weather Service expects north winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Relative humidity could fall as low as 30 percent.
- Can I burn outdoors during this Red Flag Warning?
- Outdoor burning is not recommended. The National Weather Service says any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly.
Sources
- National Weather Service offices: New Orleans LA, Shreveport LA, Lake Charles LA: Red Flag Warning, Oct 17, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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