St. Louis, MO – Parts of Missouri are under an elevated fire danger alert through Tuesday evening, with dry and breezy conditions prompting warnings across central and northeast regions of the state.
According to the National Weather Service in St. Louis, low humidity and gusty winds will increase the likelihood of erratic fire behavior, especially in grassy fields and agricultural areas littered with dry crop debris. The heightened risk spans into neighboring west central Illinois, where similar weather patterns are expected.
Officials caution that any outdoor burning could quickly get out of control. “Leave any burning to professionals,” the NWS advised, emphasizing that accidental ignitions may rapidly spread under current conditions. While scattered elevated fire risk may appear as early as Monday in some locations, Tuesday afternoon poses the greatest concern.
Communities within the outlined yellow alert zone—including areas near Columbia, Hannibal, and Quincy—should avoid open flames, grilling, or operating machinery that could generate sparks. Fire crews remain on alert in case of flare-ups.
Residents are urged to stay informed through official weather updates and avoid risky outdoor activity involving heat or flame. The elevated danger is expected to taper off by late Tuesday evening as moisture levels begin to improve.
