Is this an asthma flare or might be something else?

You may be "enjoying" both a cold and asthma at the same time. Allergies, including asthma, create a good environment for cold viruses to grow. And colds can definitely trigger asthma attacks. Your temperature isn't elevated enough to be considered a "fever", so it's unlikely you have a bacterial infection.

A doctor would likely want to be sure you're hydrating hugely - lots of water keeps that mucus thinned down - and controlling the spasms in your respiratory system with anti-asthma meds. If you have a daily inhaler like Advair or Sympacort, you should be using it regularly. If you only have a rescue inhaler, you should see your doctor to see if you need additional medication for the asthma. Unfortunately, there isn't much the doc can give you for a cold except sympathy and the advice to drink plenty of fluids and rest.

I'm in the asthma/cold cycle myself right now, and I've been finding Mucinex helpful in loosening up the mucus so I can cough it up. The barking cough may signal that you're not able to do that.

Good luck and feel better.