SILVER SPRING, MD – The National Weather Service (NWS) is soliciting comments through July 31, 2026 for potential changes to the Red Flag Warning standard formatting.
The NWS is extending the comment period on proposed changes to the format of the Red Flag Warning Product/Fire Weather Watch (RFW) through July 31, 2026.
NWS currently issues Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings with various product formats. To achieve product consistency and ease in location of forecast information, the NWS proposes to transition all RFW products to a standard “What,” “Where,” “When,” and “Impacts” format.
In addition, at the bottom of each RFW product, Impact-Based Warning tags will be included to highlight the core reasons why the RFW is being issued. A transition to a standard format will also provide a common location for hazard information and allow computer systems to easily parse and locate vital information such as Particularly Dangerous Situation headlines.
Therefore, the NWS is soliciting comments on the proposed format, demonstrated through product examples:
Please see the NWS Product Description Document (PDD) for more details: https://nsdesk.servicenowservices.com/api/g_noa/nwspc/res2/3dd0cb161b2e72 500d690f67624bcbc5
Feedback concerning these options can be provided using the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ExpFireWxHeadlineChangeandReformat_2026
Based on feedback received, NWS may implement this new headline language and text format.
For more information or for direct comments not captured in the survey instrument, please feel free to contact either: Heath Hockenberry National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center Boise, Idaho 83705 E-mail: heath.hockenberry@noaa.gov Julie Malingowski National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center Boise, Idaho 83705 Email: julie.malingowski@noaa.gov