Moline, Illinois – A spark from equipment or roadside debris could ignite a fast-moving grass fire this afternoon as gusty southwest winds sweep across the Illinois-Iowa border.
According to the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, elevated fire danger is expected through early evening across eastern Iowa and western Illinois, including Rock Island, Mercer, Henry and Whiteside counties in Illinois and Scott, Muscatine, Clinton and Jackson counties in Iowa. Southwest winds of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, will combine with warm temperatures and dry, dead vegetation to create conditions favorable for rapid fire spread.
Communities from Davenport and Bettendorf to Moline, Rock Island and Sterling sit in the highest risk zone. Rural areas near Galena, Freeport and Monmouth may see fires spread quickly across open fields if ignited.
Officials urge residents to avoid outdoor burning and to secure trailer chains that could drag and spark along highways such as Interstate 80 and U.S. 61. Discarded cigarettes and equipment use in dry grass could also trigger fires.
Conditions ease after sunset as winds diminish, but fire crews remain on alert for any rapidly developing grass fires through this evening.
