The National Weather Service in Des Moines (NWS) issued a statement Monday notifying the public that the combination of increasing southerly winds and cured grasses is creating a very high fire danger across central Iowa today.
Wind speeds by this afternoon will be sustained at 25 to 30 mph, with gusts to 35 mph or more, the NWS said.
If a fire does start, the risk of it spreading uncontrollably is very high. The public should be aware of these conditions and not throw out lit cigarettes or try to burn leaves and yard waste.
ThePerryNews.com will update this forecast as weather information becomes available.