DES MOINES, Iowa—The National Weather Service office in Des Moines has issued a Red Flag Warning for much of the state. Locally, the Red Flag Warning is for Wednesday afternoon and evening. There is also a Fire Weather Watch for Thursday.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
257 AM CDT Wed Apr 12 2023

...Critical Fire Weather Conditions This Afternoon and Thursday
Afternoon over Much of Central Iowa Today and Portions of Central
Iowa Thursday...

.A combination of low humidity values, strong winds and dry fuels
will result in critical fire conditions across portions of
central, western and northern Iowa this afternoon and Thursday
afternoon.

257 AM CDT Wed Apr 12 2023

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM
CDT THIS EVENING FOR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR PORTIONS
OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN IOWA...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
THURSDAY EVENING FOR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR PORTIONS
OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN IOWA...

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM CDT
this evening. a Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This
Fire Weather Watch is in effect from Thursday afternoon through
Thursday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Portions of Central to Western Iowa.

* WIND...Southwest at 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 25 to 35 mph.

* HUMIDITY...Dropping to around 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

(contributed information, NWS)