(Des Moines) The National Weather Service says a critical fire threat for grassland fires exists today in southwest Iowa. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the following counties: Cass, Adair, Madison, Adams, Union, Clarke, Taylor, Ringgold, Decatur, Montgomery, Mills, Pottawattamie, Audubon, Guthrie, Shelby, Harrison, Fremont, and Page.
The threat is generally south of Interstate 80 where sustained winds of 20-to-25 miles per hour with gusts up to 35-miles per hour, and low humidity values at 25-to-30 percent. Forecasters say fire can develop and spread rapidly in these areas. Outdoor burning should be avoided.
