Kansas City, Missouri – Any spark could turn into a fast-moving grass fire by midday Friday as strong winds and critically low humidity sweep across northern and central Missouri and eastern Kansas.
According to the National Weather Service in Kansas City/Pleasant Hill, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect from noon until 6 p.m. Friday for 31 Missouri counties and four counties in eastern Kansas. Southwest to west winds will increase to 15 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching 25 to 30 mph. Relative humidity will drop below 25 percent, creating explosive fire growth conditions.
In Missouri, the warning stretches from the Iowa border south through Buchanan, Clay, Platte and Jackson counties, and east through areas including Carroll, Randolph, Macon and Linn. Kansas counties under the alert include Miami, Linn, Johnson, Atchison, Doniphan, Leavenworth and Wyandotte.
Kansas City metro communities face an elevated risk, especially in open fields, construction sites and areas with dry vegetation. Even routine activities such as towing chains, using power equipment or discarding cigarettes could ignite fires.
Officials strongly discourage outdoor burning Friday afternoon. Secure trailer chains, avoid parking vehicles on dry grass and report smoke immediately. Conditions will improve after 6 p.m., but any fire that starts earlier in the day could spread rapidly before winds ease.
