Parts of the Tri-State will be under a red flag warning on October 13th, but what exactly is a red flag warning?

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What is a Red Flag Warning?

I had a notification pop up on my phone saying that my area (Vanderburgh county) was going to be under a Red Flag Warning on October 13th.  Now, typically when I see a weather warning for this area, it is for things like severe thunderstorms, tornados, or flooding, but to be totally honest with you, this is the first time I've ever heard of a Red Flag Warning. The only time I've ever heard of a "red flag" in terms of warnings, is when I go to the beach, I know a red flag means the water is too dangerous to swim. We don't live near an ocean, so I wasn't sure what it meant to be under a Red Flag Warning.

So if you're like me and aren't sure what a Red Flag Warning is,  I've done some googling to help us out.

According to the National Weather Service:

A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. 

 -If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.

 -Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire.

 -Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.

 -Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.

Long story short, a Red Flag Warning means it's super easy for fires to happen, so be smart, and practice fire safety. You don't want to be the reason your neighbor's field went up in flames.

National Weather Service Issues Red Flag Warning

The National Weather Service of Paducah issued a Red Flag Warning that goes into effect from noon on October 13th until 8 PM on October 13th. The following Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky counties are under the Red Flag Warning on October 13th per the National Weather Service of Paducah:

Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton-Whte-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope-Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh-Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves-Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell-Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean-Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry