St. Louis, MO – Gusty winds and dry air are prompting elevated fire danger across central and northeast Missouri as well as west-central Illinois Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in St. Louis.
According to the NWS, red flag conditions are in effect throughout the day due to low humidity, dry vegetation, and wind gusts that may exceed 25 mph. Areas most at risk include Columbia, Mexico, and Moberly in Missouri, and Quincy and Jacksonville in Illinois.
The combination of dry grasses, recent sunny weather, and dead vegetation from winter creates a volatile environment for potential wildfires. While southern and eastern Missouri remain somewhat insulated due to recent rainfall, the presence of combustible materials like dead logs and brush still poses a fire risk.
Residents are urged to avoid any open burning and use extreme caution with potential ignition sources. Officials recommend properly discarding cigarettes, avoiding parking on dry grass, and checking trailers for dragging chains.
NWS urges residents to “leave burning to professionals” and monitor local fire updates. The elevated fire risk is expected to ease by Wednesday as humidity increases and winds decrease.
Stay updated through local alerts and take precautions to minimize fire risks during these critical conditions.
