A Fire
Weather Watch is used to alert agencies to the high potential
for development of a Red Flag event in the 24-72 hour time frame. (A watch
my be issued in the first 12 hours time period only for an expected dry
thunderstorm event.)
A Red Flag Warning is
used to inform agencies of the imminent or actual occurrence of Red Flag
conditions. This warning will be issued immediately when there is high
confidence that Red Flag criteria will be met within the next 24 hours...or
if those criteria are already being met.
www.weather.gov 
