Weather Alerts-

Make preparations per the instructions

Des Moines - IA, US, National Weather Service

Polk County

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR SOUTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL IOWA INTO PARTS OF CENTRAL IOWA... AFFECTED AREA...Southwest and West Central Iowa into parts of Central Iowa. WIND...From the southwest at 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 20 to 25 mph. HUMIDITY...As low as around 15%. IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread, perhaps rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

...Critical Fire Weather Conditions Today... .While winds are not overly strong today, near record to record temperatures, cured surface fuels, and exceptionally dry air for Iowa have led to a critical fire weather danger that will continue through this evening. Fires will have a higher likelihood of igniting in these dry conditions and will easily spread, perhaps rapidly at times. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.