DES MOINES, Iowa—The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning covering much of Iowa on Monday.
...Extreme Fire Weather Conditions Monday... .Record breaking warmth on Monday will combine with winds out of the southwest gusting over 35 mph at times and relative humidity dropping under 25 percent. This will result in extreme fire weather conditions across much of Iowa. ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM CST MONDAY FOR MUCH OF IOWA... * AFFECTED AREA...All of Central Iowa * WIND...Out of the southwest at 20-25 mph, gusting over 35 mph * HUMIDITY...15 to 25 percent through the afternoon * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. A few counties in central to western Iowa already have burning bans in effect. 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.