The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a red flag warning for extreme fire conditions in the Perry area. The warning is in effect until 7 p.m. Friday.
Gusty winds and dry conditions, particularly during the afternoon hours, have caused the very high fire danger.
West winds will turn toward northwest and gradually increase as a cool front drops across Iowa. Winds will increase to 20 to 25 mph, with gusts to near 35 mph at times before diminishing toward sunset.
In addition, the relative humidity will be very low Friday afternoon, in the 25 to 35 percent range. Most surface grasses are very dry, nearly 100 percent cured, and any fires that ignite will spread rapidly.
Burning is strongly discouraged.
