CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Central Illinois will see warm, windy, and increasingly dry weather through the weekend, raising the risk for wildfires from Saturday into Sunday. While no severe storms are expected, forecasters warn that the combination of gusty winds and low humidity could make outdoor burning dangerous across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, breezy conditions will build Saturday with gusts up to 24 mph, continuing into Sunday. The agency says this pattern, paired with warm highs in the mid-80s and little rainfall, creates an “elevated risk for wildfires,” particularly across east central and southeastern Illinois counties including Champaign, Vermilion, and Macon.
Residents are urged to avoid open burning, properly dispose of cigarettes, and use caution with outdoor equipment. The threat should ease by Monday as showers and a chance of thunderstorms move into the area, followed by cooler temperatures.
Spotter activation is not anticipated, though conditions could change if dry winds persist longer than expected.
Five-Day Forecast for Champaign, Illinois:
- Saturday: Sunny, high near 86°F. Winds SSW 10–15 mph, gusts up to 24 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly clear, high 88°F, low 63°F. Continued breezy.
- Monday: Showers and thunderstorms possible by evening, high 87°F.
- Tuesday: Partly cloudy with scattered showers, high 75°F.
- Wednesday: Cooler and sunny, high near 71°F.
