Counties in Western Iowa: SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-GREENE//Mon., Oct. 8th 2012

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR EXTREME FIRE CONDITIONS.

THE MOST HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED FROM AROUND MIDDAY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON HOURS UNTIL A LITTLE AFTER SUNSET. WINDS OF AROUND 25 MPH ARE EXPECTED AT TIMES…WITH GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 35 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL BE  AS LOW AS 20 PERCENT IN THE AREA. IN ADDITION, SURFACE FUELS ARE VERY DRY DUE TO DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND PERSISTENT LACK OF RAINFALL.

ANY FIRES WILL SPREAD RAPIDLY. BURNING OF ANY KIND SHOULD BE POSTPONED…AND HARVESTING OPERATIONS SHOULD EXERCISE A HIGH LEVEL OF CAUTION. 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 WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.