If you have plans for a controlled burn, welding project or a cookout, it’s best to hold off at least through the weekend.
The fire danger is very high for the weekend, thanks to ongoing dry conditions and high winds. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Schmidt is urging caution at this time.
Schmidt says recent grass fire activity has been accidental in nature. For the most part, he says people conducting controlled burns have done a good job in taking the necessary steps for their burns, but there have been some cases where winds catch embers and small patches of grass catch fire as a result. There have also been several cases of grass fires starting after vehicle chains caused sparks.
Wind advisories are up areawide for the KVOE listening area on Saturday with gusts as high as 50 mph. Winds won’t be as high Sunday, but they will still be as high as 30 mph.
