WED APR 9 2014 …

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR EXTREME FIRE CONDITIONS…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING.

* WIND…SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH GUSTING OVER 35 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…20 TO 25 PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON.

* FUEL…GRASSES ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE REMAIN 85 TO 100 PERCENT CURED. VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES ON TUESDAY HAS PRIMED THESE FUELS FOR EASY IGNITION AND THE POTENTIAL FOR RAPID FIRE GROWTH.

* IMPACTS…RAPID FIRE GROWTH IS LIKELY TODAY FOR ANY FUELS THAT BECOME IGNITED. 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 WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.