(Des Moines) The Warm, dry, and breezy conditions in addition to areas with very dry fuels, will combine to create critical fire weather danger today across portions of southern into central Iowa. Rapid fire growth is possible under these conditions.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning until 8:00 p.m. this evening for all of southwest Iowa, and the counties of Monona, and Harrison in west central Iowa. Forecasters are calling for southwest winds at 20-to-25 miles per hour, gusting up to 35-miles per hour. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
