More than 20 million Americans in eight states were under red flag warnings Tuesday morning as severe winds and dry conditions have elevated the threat of fire danger.

A red flag warning does not necessarily mean there is a fire ongoing – extreme fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly, according to the NWS. If a fire does start, it has the potential to quickly become extreme due to the critical fire weather conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning Monday, March 17 for parts of North Texas due to dangerously dry conditions. NWS meteorologist Miles Langfeld said areas west of I-35 are under threat the afternoon of March 17, and the same warning extends further west of highway 281 for Tuesday, March 18.