Chicago, IL – Fire weather concerns are increasing across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana today as dry air and gusty northwest winds create an elevated risk for rapid fire spread. The National Weather Service says that even small outdoor fires may become difficult to control during the warmest hours of the afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago/Romeoville, the elevated fire risk covers a large portion of the region, including Cook, Will, Lake, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, DeKalb, Boone, Winnebago, Ogle, La Salle, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, and Ford counties in Illinois. In Indiana, affected areas include Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Benton counties.
Forecasters say a combination of dry air, recent dry conditions, and gusty northwest winds will create conditions where fires may spread faster than usual. While no Red Flag Warning has been issued, the NWS emphasizes that burning today may still be risky.
Winds are expected to strengthen through the afternoon, with gusts frequently approaching 25 to 30 mph. Even though humidity will not fall to critical levels, the combination of weather factors and dry vegetation may cause fires to grow rapidly if not monitored closely.
Residents are encouraged to use extra caution when discarding smoking materials or conducting any outdoor burning, including leaf disposal and vegetation clearing. The NWS notes that small embers can travel in the wind and ignite dry grass or brush.
Communities across the Chicago metro, Rockford, Joliet, Aurora, Kankakee, Gary, Merrillville, Valparaiso, and surrounding areas may experience the highest risk from midday through late afternoon.
