Fire danger is set to increase this upcoming weekend.
The National Weather Service has announced a fire weather watch for Lyon and almost all surrounding counties from noon Saturday to 7 pm Sunday. High temperatures around 90 or above will combine with southwesterly winds as high as 35 mph, grasses that have been dry for a week and relative humidity levels under 20 percent to set the stage for critical fire danger.
Fire weather watches are often the preliminary step before red flag warnings, which mean critical fire danger is in place. Red flag warnings lead to automatic burn bans for affected counties in the KVOE listening area.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
3:45 pm Thursday: Fire danger elevated Thursday, Friday despite light winds
Wind speeds should be relatively light for the rest of the work week, but the short-term fire danger will likely be elevated for other reasons before wind speeds pick up again for the weekend.
The National Weather Service says high temperatures in the 80s Thursday and Friday, combined with relative humidity levels below 30 percent, will keep the fire danger high despite wind gusts at or below 10 mph both days.
Wind speeds were conducive to grass fires Wednesday, and there were numerous fires across the Flint Hills. More are expected Thursday and Friday because of the projected wind speeds.
Wind speeds get more noticeable Saturday, with peak gusts around 20 mph coupled with a record high of 90 degrees. Sunday will see cooler but breezier conditions with highs in the mid-70s and gusts up to 30 mph. Outdoor burning will not be recommended Sunday.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
