As per reports, a red flag warning has been issued by the National Weather Service Hastings office for north central Nebraska and counties along the Nebraska-Kansas border, including Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls, and Thayer counties, valid from 0800 hours local time to 2000 hours local time (1300 hours UTC to 0100 hours UTC on 27 March) on Thursday (26 March).

• The National Weather Service North Platte office has issued a corresponding warning for Custer and Frontier counties, as well as additional counties in northern Nebraska extending to the South Dakota border.
• The red flag warning has been issued for north-northeasterly winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 45 mph, with relative humidity dropping as low as 20 percent across the affected area.
• A strong cold front is reportedly moving through the area on Thursday (26 March), with northerly winds gusting to approximately 40 to 45 mph behind the front. Warm and dry conditions ahead of the front are expected to produce near-critical to critical fire weather conditions across the outlook area.
• The highest overall fire threat is along and south-east of a line from Phillipsburg, Kansas, to Hebron, Nebraska. NWS Hastings notes that a faster-than-forecast frontal passage could result in relative humidity remaining above 20 percent, but that strong winds are expected to remain a concern if any fires develop.
• Governor Jim Pillen has issued a new proclamation declaring emergencies in counties associated with the Morrill, Cottonwood, and Anderson Bridge fires. The Road 203 Fire, impacting Blaine and Thomas counties, is being managed by federal authorities.
• The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in response to newly reported fires in Grant County, with the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team providing operational management.