SIDNEY - The Nebraska Fire Marshal's office is asking residents to avoid any outdoor activities that produce flames or sparks Friday. 

A red flag warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Friday for the Nebraska Panhandle, northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.

"We know that any fires that start today will be incredibly unpredictable, show exponential growth, and will be difficult to manage," the fire marshal's office said in a statement. Avoid driving in or through dry, grassy areas. If hauling or towing, secure those chains to keep them from dragging and sparking."

They advise to not throw lit cigarettes out the window or your car, off of your deck, or into the grass near your work's break area. Gothenburg Fire Chief Mark Ballmer says he believes a cigarette is to blame for two fires in the central part of Nebraska this week.

Winds will be out of the south to southwest at 25 to 35 mph sustained with gusts of 40 to 50 mph. The relative minimum humidity will be between 8 and 13 percent. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

The National Weather Service is also monitoring the risk of severe thunderstorms Friday across Nebraska, with the largest threat in North Platte, McCook, Thedford and Kearney.

There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms late Friday afternoon and early evening north of a line from Douglas to Torrington, with a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across Niobrara County of southeast Wyoming and the northern Nebraska Panhandle.

The NWS says isolated thunderstorms, a few strong to severe, will be possible from 5 pm to 9 pm today, with the primary threats being large hail and damaging winds, with an isolated tornado possible.