Outdoor burning is a no-go across the KVOE listening area Thursday.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Lyon and all surrounding counties from 12-6 pm. All area counties have announced burn bans. The city of Emporia automatically bans fires in the city limits if wind speeds are above 15 mph, and that is expected by noon if not earlier.
Red flag warnings are issued for a combination of factors, and National Weather Service meteorologist Brandon Drake says all the conditions are in place: mild temperatures, humidity levels at or below 20 percent, wind gusts as high as 40 mph and dry grasses. He told people to hold off on outdoor burns until Friday.
Drake encouraged people to be extremely careful with how they discard any smoking materials, especially cigarette butts.
9 pm Wednesday: Red flag warning posted for Lyon County, several surrounding counties for Thursday afternoon
Outdoor burning will be banned across part of the KVOE listening area Thursday afternoon and early evening. It will be strongly discouraged in all other area counties.
Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties are under a red flag warning from 12-6 pm Thursday for a combination of temperatures at or above 60 degrees, humidity levels below 20 percent, wind gusts as high as 40 mph and dry vegetation. Separately, Osage County is in a burn ban from 10 pm Wednesday until 8 am Friday.
Lyon and Morris counties automatically enter burn bans when red flag warnings are announced. Coffey and Wabaunsee counties may make their decisions Thursday morning.
Emporia automatically bans fires in the city limits if wind speeds are above 15 mph.
The National Weather Service expects “extreme” fire behavior, with any fires that develop spreading rapidly and moving unpredictably.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
