Thursday’s very high to critical fire danger is largely wind-driven, so it stands to reason wind advisories now cover most area counties.
Lyon, Coffey and Osage counties are in wind advisories from 3 pm Thursday to 2 am Friday, while Morris and Wabaunsee counties are already in advisories until 2 am. Chase County is in a separate advisory until 7 pm.
Southwesterly winds are still expected at between 40-50 mph. Relative humidity levels are expected at or below 25 percent for the afternoon and early evening hours.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
4:30 am Thursday:
Even after up to 2 inches of rainfall Tuesday, outdoor burns are either strongly discouraged or — for most counties — outright banned across the KVOE listening area.
The National Weather Service has announced red flag warnings for Chase, Morris and Wabaunsee counties from 12-8 pm. In general terms, red flag warnings signal critical fire danger and create automatic burn bans during the alert period. For Thursday, air temperatures will be in the 60s, afternoon humidity levels will be at or below 22 percent and southwesterly winds will be as high as 50 mph.
Coffey and Osage counties are not in the red flag warnings, but they are under county-announced burn bans until further notice. The red flag warning temporarily supersedes Chase County’s ban that is tentatively set for review Friday.
Outdoor burns are discouraged in Lyon and Greenwood counties due to the conditions.
Chase County is also in a wind advisory from 7 am to 7 pm due to the expected wind gusts.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
Click here for KVOE’s YouTube channel, including outlooks and updates.
1 pm Wednesday: Red Flag Warning issued for Morris and Wabaunsee counties Thursday
Burning will not be permitted for at least two area counties Thursday due to the potential for critical fire danger.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Morris and Wabaunsee counties from noon to 8 pm Thursday. Red Flag Warnings mean automatic burn bans for affected counties, as any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly.
Low relative humidity levels around 22 percent, southwest winds between 20 and 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, and mild temperatures will set up fire-conducive conditions through the afternoon and early evening hours. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they develop.
