COUNTIES: CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-CASS-DALLAS-POLK-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD

324 PM CDT MON SEP 10 2012

A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM CDT TUESDAY FOR EXTREME FIRE CONDITIONS.. THIS REPLACES THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED.

SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH…WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED. IN ADDITION, THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY  WILL DROP TO 15 TO 25 PERCENT IN THE AFTERNOON. FIELD CROPS ARE NEARLY CURED AND HAVE BECOME HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE. IN COMBINATION WITH THE FORECAST CONDITIONS TUESDAY…THIS WOULD LEAD TO RAPID FIRE GROWTH. IN ADDITION…THE DRYING OF GRASSES IS WELL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE DUE TO THE HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS THIS SUMMER.

IF A FIRE STARTS TUESDAY AFTERNOON…RAPID FIRE GROWTH WOULD BE POSSIBLE AND IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTAIN. 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.

The months-long drought may soon impact fall allergy sufferers in Iowa. Agronomist Robert Hartzler, at Iowa State University, says the weather has a direct impact on pollen counts that trigger allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny noses and red, teary eyes. Hartzler says any time we don’t get rain for a while, it allows the pollen to be released in the atmosphere and it hangs around for a longer period of time. Ragweed is native to Iowa, but Hartzler says it traditionally hasn’t grown very well among row crops. He says those plants are now adapting to Iowa’s cornfields and they’re becoming more widespread. Hartzler says it may get worse in future years.

“There is some evidence that with climate change, the ragweeds are better adapted to the warmer temperatures than other plants, so there is some evidence to suggest that pollen counts could increase in the future because of the increasing temperatures we’re expected to see,” Hartzler says. Relief for allergy sufferers isn’t likely until the first frost. He says there’s been enough rain for weeds to grow, but not enough to knock down the pollen. “Rainfall is excellent at washing (pollen) out of the air, it also saturates ragweed flowers so pollen can’t be released,” Hartzler says. “Rain does help the weeds grow, but we’ve got enough moisture in most of the state to allow the weeds to do well.”

He says the amount of pollen in the air has also been boosted by higher temperatures this year. “They’re higher earlier in the year because of the summer we’ve had,” Hartzler says. “The ragweed started growing earlier because of the warm temperatures in the spring. So we have high counts earlier this year than typical.” It may be just the beginning. Hartzler says there’s evidence global warming may be promoting ragweed growth.

(Radio Iowa)

Shelby County Emergency Management Director Bob Seivert says the Fire Danger situation is very dangerous, and no open burning of any kind is permitted. Farm and harvest operators should take extra precautions, according to Seivert, so that the spread of fire can be controlled, and you will know that extra help is on the way if it is needed.

Seivert says fire extinguishers should be in every combine, and tractors equipped with plows should be standing-by, ready to build a fire break. The local fire danger signs will remain in the EXTREME category in Shelby County until further notice, and Red Flag Warnings are expected to be issued for this afternoon and Tuesday, as strong southerly winds, low humidity and dry field conditions are able to create explosive fire growth.

COUNTIES IN IOWA: EMMET-KOSSUTH-WINNEBAGO-WORTH-PALO ALTO-HANCOCK-CERRO GORDO- POCAHONTAS-HUMBOLDT-WRIGHT-SAC-CALHOUN-WEBSTER-CRAWFORD-CARROLL- GREENE-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-CASS–HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE

433 AM CDT MON SEP 10 2012

…FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING FOR EXTREME FIRE CONDITIONS….FROM 1:00-PM TUESDAY AFTERNOON UNTIL 7:00-PM TUESDAY EVENING.

SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH…WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH,  ALONG WITH LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…AS LOW AS 20 PERCENT…AND FIELD CROPS WHICH ARE NEARLY CURED AND HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE  COULD LEAD TO RAPID FIRE GROWTH TUESDAY AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION…THE DRYING OF GRASSES IS WELL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE DUE TO THE HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS THIS SUMMER. IF A FIRE STARTS TUESDAY AFTERNOON…RAPID FIRE GROWTH WOULD BE POSSIBLE AND IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTAIN.

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Officials with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach looking to hear from Iowans about how Iowa State in partnership with counties can best serve citizens, is holding a town hall meeting today (Monday), in Atlantic. The meeting begins at 10:30-a.m. in the Cass County ISU Extension and Outreach Office, located at 805 West 10th Street (next to the Cass County Community Center). It’s one of five such meetings scheduled to occur around the state.  The other meetings will take place in Ames, Storm Lake, Oskaloosa and Waterloo.

Cathann Kress, ISU Extension and Outreach vice president, and Terry Maloy, Iowa Association of County Extension Councils executive director, will participate in the conversations with Iowans. Kress says they want to gather feedback about what they’re doing well, where they need to improve, and what needs to be addressed.  She says  “All Iowans – citizens, community leaders, decision makers, partners, staff and extension council members – are welcome” to attend the meetings.

For more information about the town hall meetings or specific locations, please contact the Guthrie County Extension and Outreach Office at 641-747-2276.

ST. LOUIS (AP) – The worst drought in the United States in decades may already have done its damage to the nation’s corn crop now being harvested. But growers say their soybeans may turn out far better. Near Coulterville in southwestern Illinois, Dean Campbell concedes that Tropical Storm Isaac’s remnants “blessed us with some water.” But that won’t save his 900-acre corn crop that’s averaging just about one-tenth of his normal yield with harvesting less than halfway done.  But he says he expects “a reasonable crop” from his still-maturing 1,100 acres of soybeans.

Near Corning, Iowa, Ray Gaesser got nothing from Isaac for his 3,000 acres of corn, which he foresees producing about 60 to 70 percent of normal. But he believes his soybeans could yield some 90 percent of what he’s typically get.

Despite the worst drought in decades, a new federal report predicts net farm income will set a record high this year. Back in January, the U-S-D-A projected income at 92-billion dollars. The new projection is 122-billion. U-S-D-A chief economist Joe Glauber says one reason for the increase is big crop insurance indemnity payments due to disaster and drought losses. He says another reason is higher commodity prices. “We have seen much higher prices than what we were forecasting back in January for the 2012 (season),” Glauber says. “That occurred even before the price increases that we saw since June when the drought started emerging. Since June 1, we’ve seen price projections increase substantially, 30-to-40% for soybeans, corn and wheat.”

Many Iowa corn producers are seeing yields significantly reduced from a year ago. Last year, Iowa’s corn growers hauled in 172-bushels per acre, on average. With harvest just getting underway, some farmers report yields this season of 50 to 60 bushels per acre. While there will be a big increase in crop receipts this year, Glauber says conditions are much worse for livestock producers. “Livestock receipts are down a bit, 166-billion dollars,” he says. “Certainly, expenses are up and they’re largely led by higher feed costs this year. That’s mainly a livestock issue. We’ve had a little bit of increase on fuels, a little bit of increase on fertilizer, but the main increase is coming on the feed side.”

The agency’s early projected feed price increase was 13-percent, but after the drought hit, prices bounded more than 30-percent higher.

(Radio Iowa)

The 5^th Annual “Fields of Flight” Hot Air Balloon Festival will welcome more than 20 hot air balloonists from across the country this weekend.  Area residents can enjoy the floating works of art as they grace the skies of Pottawattamie County on Friday, September 7th and Saturday, September 8th, beginning at 5:00pm.  The hot air balloons and their pilots will light up the evening skies at the nightly balloon glows, held both evenings.

Net proceeds from the annual event will go to purchase food for MICAH House, an emergency shelter in Council Bluffs serving families and individuals who are experiencing the crisis of homelessness. The funds will support services for more than 760 individuals annually, half of whom are children. For over 26 years, MICAH House has been a haven of shelter and support services for those who are homeless and is the only family shelter in the metro area.

Guests enjoy admission for just $1.00, $5.00 parking (per car), and fun entertainment featuring something for every member of your family including competition and fun flights, balloon glows, live music, kids activities, apples, a wide variety of food items unique to the orchard/vineyard, and wine. Spread out your blanket and enjoy a truly memorable experience in one of Council Bluffs most beautiful settings, Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard, located at 19475 225^th Street.

For more information on this special event or to learn more about MICAH House, please contact Lisa Emken at 712-323-4416

* All balloon flights and displays are weather permitting.

Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert said today (Thursday), that the Fire Danger Index will remain in the “Extreme” category in Shelby County. Seivert says his office will continue to monitor any rain that falls over the weekend, to see if there is any impact on reducing the fire danger. Farmers in the area are working on bringing in their crops, and as the amount of available fuel for explosive fire growth…corn, beans, and tall grasses.. are removed from the equation, the threat of uncontrolled fires will continue to diminish as well. The next scheduled update on the fire conditions, is expected on Monday, Sept. 10th.

In the meantime, extra precautions should be taken while farmers are out in the field, to ensure their machines are free of debris and that fires are not started behind those implements while the harvest is underway.

Pet Care Tips from Dr. Keith Leonard

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