Central Texas is under a Red Flag Warning today from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., but what does that mean?

This warning means “warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger,” according to the National Weather Service.

People in areas where these warnings are in place are advised to avoid throwing cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle, extinguish all outdoor fires properly, and never leave a fire unattended.

Last week, due to significantly low humidity levels that could lead to increased wildfire danger, Travis County Commissioners Court voted to issue a burn ban for unincorporated areas of Travis County, which went into effect immediately. The burn ban is set to expire Mar. 9.

To help others in areas with Red Flag Warnings, Burn Ban Flags are offered through the Texas A&M Forest Service. These flags are used as a “signal to stop outdoor burning and begin conserving water.”

A burn ban is essentially exactly how it sounds. Residents aren’t allowed to burn certain items, including:

🔥 Discarded tires

🔥 Old furniture

🔥 Lawn trimmings from a property that is not your own

Residents are allowed to burn limbs, leaves, and straw that originated on their property.

During this time people in the area should also be cautious if they’re grilling or barbecuing outdoors. If you plan on cooking outside, view these safety tips.

If you have additional questions about burning in your area, find your location on the Jurisdiction Map + use this list of emergency service district phone numbers.