(Omaha) Residents across southwest Iowa are being urged to take precautions as the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning due to dangerous fire weather conditions this weekend.
The warning, issued by the National Weather Service office in Omaha/Valley, will be in effect from 11 a.m. Saturday until 4 a.m. Sunday.
Counties included in the warning area are Monona, Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, and Page.
Forecasters say southwest winds of 10 to 20 miles per hour are expected, with gusts reaching up to 30 miles per hour. Relative humidity levels could drop as low as 10 percent, creating an environment highly favorable for rapid fire growth.
Officials warn that any fires that develop under these conditions could spread quickly and become difficult to control. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged during the warning period.
