An Extreme Heat Warning is currently in effect for five Texas counties: Lamar, Montague, Fisher, Briscoe, and Llano. The warning, issued by the National Weather Service offices in Fort Worth, San Angelo, Lubbock, and Austin/San Antonio, became active on August 24, 2026 at 1:30 PM CDT and runs through August 25, 2026 at 1:30 AM CDT. If you are in any of these counties between those hours, this alert applies to you right now.
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Extreme Heat Warnings are reserved for conditions that pose a direct risk to human life. This is not a watch or an advisory. It is the highest-tier heat alert the National Weather Service issues, and it demands an immediate, practical response from every resident in the affected areas.
What the National Weather Service Is Telling You to Do Right Now
The National Weather Service Fort Worth TX, the lead issuing office for this warning, has issued specific, actionable guidance that goes beyond general summer advice. Follow it closely for the duration of the warning period.
Stay hydrated and stay cool. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, and stay out of the sun. If your home does not have working air conditioning, identify a local cooling center before the afternoon heat peaks. Heat builds fastest between midday and early evening, which falls squarely within this warning window.
Check on people around you. The National Weather Service specifically calls on residents to check up on relatives and neighbors. Elderly individuals, people with chronic health conditions, and those living alone are at elevated risk and may not recognize their own symptoms. A brief phone call or knock on the door can save a life.
Never leave children or pets in vehicles. The official NWS instruction is direct: young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. A parked car can reach lethal interior temperatures within minutes, even with windows cracked. This applies at all hours during the warning period, not only at peak afternoon heat.
Adjust outdoor activity and work schedules. If you must be outside, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. Limit strenuous activity to early morning or evening hours. For those doing outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Employers with workers in Lamar, Montague, Fisher, Briscoe, or Llano counties should implement those breaks now.
Know the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and act on it. Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, and nausea. Heat stroke is a medical emergency: if someone stops sweating, becomes confused, or loses consciousness in the heat, call 911 immediately. While waiting for help, move the person to a cool, shaded location. Do not wait to see if they improve on their own.
Why Fire Risk Shapes Year-Round Preparedness in Texas, Even During a Heat Event
Extreme heat and wildfire risk are closely linked, and that connection matters for anyone building a long-term preparedness plan. Across the country, fire has accounted for 35 of the 54 federal disaster declarations issued in the past 60 days, with states including Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Nevada among the hardest hit. Texas is no stranger to that threat either. Prolonged heat dries out vegetation and raises fire danger well beyond any single warning window. The same habits that protect you during a heat warning, keeping emergency supplies stocked, knowing your evacuation routes, and staying informed through official NWS channels, are the foundations of year-round fire preparedness. When one threat is active, the others are rarely far behind.
For updates as conditions evolve, monitor the National Weather Service at weather.gov and follow guidance from your local emergency management office. The warning expires at 1:30 AM CDT on August 25, 2026, but heat-related illness can develop hours after exposure. Take the precautions now.
For the fundamentals that apply beyond this specific alert, see our Extreme Heat Preparedness guide.
Source: National Weather Service (NWS Fort Worth TX, NWS San Angelo TX, NWS Lubbock TX, NWS Austin/San Antonio TX). Active alert data retrieved 2026-08-24 22:01 UTC via api.weather.gov.
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