Fire Danger Elevated In Several Area Counties Today

The National Weather Service is advising against outdoor burning in several Northeast Iowa counties today, especially this afternoon (Friday, May 6, 2016).

Because of an elevated fire danger, outdoor burning should be avoided in the following counties: Allamakee, Bremer, Butler, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Howard, Mitchell, and Winneshiek.

Forecasters are predicting winds of 10 to 20 miles per hour today, with gusts as high as 30 m.p.h. in some areas this afternoon. The winds combined with a very warm and dry air mass will increase the fire danger across the region.

Even though most grassy areas have greened significantly over the past two weeks, National Weather Service officials said fires where dry grass or leaf litter remain could start easily and spread quickly.