KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A red flag warning will be in effect for the Kansas City metro on Thursday, with dry and windy conditions contributing to an increased risk for fires in the area.
Please do us and everyone a big favor today and try hard not to start any fires. They will get out of hand very quickly. pic.twitter.com/lG1KRo8YZZ
— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) March 5, 2020
The Nation Weather Service said that dry grasses and vegetation following winter, combined with strong winds and low humidity, “will lead to dangerous weather conditions” on Thursday afternoon. The red flag warning will be in effect from noon to 6 p.m.
Outdoor burning should be avoided. Any fires that do start “will spread out of control very quickly,” according to the National Weather Service.
Some metro cities began issuing burn bans Thursday morning.
Independence officials said its fire department had put a burn ban in effect from Thursday morning through 8 a.m. Monday for all outdoor or open fires, with the exception of residential barbecuing.
“Extremely combustible vegetation and foliage have created conditions where rapidly moving natural cover fires can occur,” Independence Fire Chief Doug Short said in a news release Thursday morning. “In the interest of community safety, citizens are reminded to properly dispose of smoking materials, fireplace logs and barbeque charcoal by placing them in a metal container after dousing with water.”
Independence officials said high winds and low humidity were factors in their decision.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph are expected on Thursday, with humidity values of 20% or lower.
RELATED | 5 things to know about a red flag warning
A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are in place or will occur shortly, according to the National Weather Service.
For the most up-to-date weather information from 41 Action News meteorologists, click here.
—
