Overview
- The National Weather Service in Birmingham upgraded a prior watch to a Red Flag Warning that covers dozens of counties across central and eastern Alabama.
- Forecasts call for wind gusts near 30 to 40 mph with relative humidity falling into the mid teens to low 20s, conditions that can drive rapid fire growth.
- Officials advise people to skip all outdoor burning, clear dry leaves and brush, move propane tanks and firewood away from buildings, water vegetation, and keep an emergency kit ready.
- The threat is regional, with southwest and central Iowa under warnings and the Kansas City metro under watches as very dry air and gusty winds raise the risk of fast-spreading fires.
- A passing cold front is ushering in dry air and strong winds over cured grasses and brush, which means even small sparks can ignite and race through fields and neighborhoods.