The National Weather Service in San Angelo has issued a red flag warning for Brownwood and much of central Texas which is in effect from 11 am to 6 pm CST Wednesday.

A strong upper level system will move across the Texas Panhandle Wednesday. As this system passes, the pressure gradient will tighten at the surface. This will cause west winds to increase to 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 45 mph across west central Texas. At the same time relative humidity values will drop to less than 20 percent. These factors, as well as high fire danger rating will result in critical fire weather conditions across the area on Wednesday.

Area residents are strongly advised to avoid activities that may produce outdoor flames or sparks of any kind, and properly dispose of lit cigarettes. Accidental ignitions will have the potential to grow very rapidly into dangerous wind-driven wildfires.

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential.