Skip to main content

Despite cooler temperatures, Houston’s fire risk is on the rise

Drier air moves in as winds pick up on Tuesday.

TFS FIRE DANGER (Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

The KPRC 2 weather team is keeping a close eye on a moderate to high fire danger today and tomorrow, despite the colder temperatures from this weekend’s cold front that dropped our highs from the 80s into the 60s.

Dry air has pushed relative humidity below 25%, combined with breezy northerly winds gusting between 15 and 25 mph tomorrow, creating conditions where fires can ignite easily and spread quickly — even with seasonable temperatures.

Tracking relative humidity (Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

We’ll continue monitoring conditions as winds pick up further on Tuesday, heightening the potential for rapid fire spread, even though temperatures will remain in the low to mid-70s.

Tracking your wind forecast (Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

By Thursday, moisture levels will rise as humidity increases, which should help decrease the fire risk as temperatures warm back into the upper 70s to low 80s.

Tracking your humidity levels (Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

While we are not under a full Red Flag Warning for Houston proper, the risk is elevated enough to warrant extra caution — especially as we keep a close eye on the Caddo Fire, which has burned an estimated 175 acres and is only about 30% contained, according to officials.

Residents in the Verde Forest neighborhood — particularly those living east of Thorn Street and north of Caddo Road — should stay alert and be prepared to evacuate if conditions change.

READ MORE: Brush fire in northeast Houston burns 175 acres, residents in Verde Forest told to prepare for possible evacuation

You can also click the button below to see active fires currently burning in the Houston area.

https://smartcity.tacc.utexas.edu/FireIncident/FireIncidentMap.html

It’s also extremely dry across Houston right now, with areas west of us experiencing extreme drought and little to no meaningful rain in the 10-day forecast.

Fire safety tips (Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)
  • Avoid all outdoor burning
  • Use extra caution with equipment like lawnmowers or chainsaws because the drier conditions can produce sparks and start a fire, especially tomorrow as the winds pick up.
  • Make sure to keep defensible space around your home by clearing dry leaves, brush, and vegetation at least 30 feet from your house to lower the risk of a fire spreading to your property.
  • Stay aware and safe—fire prevention is key in these dry, breezy conditions!

We’ll keep you updated as things evolve.