Burn bans up almost areawide Friday with red flag warnings now involving Lyon, Chase, Greenwood, Morris and Wabaunsee counties

Critical fire danger is officially expanding across most of the KVOE listening area.

Shortly before 8 am Friday, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Lyon, Morris, and Wabaunsee counties from 10 am to 5 pm. This coincides with a separate red flag warning impacting Chase and Greenwood counties from 10 am to 6 pm.

Wind gusts across Lyon, Morris and Wabaunsee counties are now expected to be at or above 40 mph and will be stronger further to the south. A wind shift from southwest to west will also keep the fire danger at high levels, with low humidity levels, warm temperatures and a thick, dry fuel load contributing to the fire danger level and potentially “extreme fire behavior.”

This means outdoor burning is banned for the affected counties during the warning — except for Chase County, which has been in a burn ban since Thursday and is set to continue under a ban through Saturday.

5 am Friday: Red flag warnings up Friday for Chase, Greenwood counties

Very high fire danger is in place across most of the KVOE listening area Friday, but it’s worse to our south and west.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Chase and Greenwood counties from 10 am to 6 pm, signaling critical fire danger for those counties and much of southern Kansas. Wind gusts will be as high as 45 mph, combining with sunshine, temperatures near 70 degrees, and a thick, dry fuel load to set the stage for “extreme fire behavior.”

This means a burn ban for Greenwood County during the warning period. Chase County Fire Chief Steve Fillmore issued a burn ban Thursday continuing through Saturday.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged elsewhere across the KVOE listening area and will be banned in the Emporia city limits because winds will be above 15 mph. Residents who conducted controlled burns earlier this week are urged to make sure those are fully out so they don’t rekindle.

Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.