Elevated to Critical Fire Conditions Today – Avoid Outdoor Burning!

Posted: February 29, 2024 at 10:42 am

Warmer air surges northward today along with winds gusting to around 25 to 40 mph from the southwest. Humidity values fall to around 20 to 25 percent this afternoon and create elevated to critical fire weather conditions today. The highest fire danger exists across northeast Iowa where the winds will be the strongest and snowpack has melted.

Any fires that start could spread rapidly and be hard to control. Avoid outdoor burning today.

• What: Southwest winds gusting 25 to 40 mph, humidity dropping to 20-30%, and dry fuels will create conditions for quick starting, moving fires.
• Where: Highest fire danger will be over parts of northeast Iowa. Elevated fire danger will be along and south of I-90.
• Timing: Through 6 pm
• Impacts: Fires will start very easily, moving quickly through dried grasses and dead leaves
• ACTION: avoid any outdoor burning

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather conditions for parts of northeast Iowa, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 6
PM CST this evening. AFFECTED AREA…In Iowa, Mitchell, Howard, Floyd, Chickasaw and Fayette.