Recent bout of warm weather brings Red Flag Warnings
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Spring is rolling into St. Joseph and it’s bringing Red Flag Warnings along for the ride.
When a Red Flag Warning is put into effect, it means concerning fire-related weather conditions are happening, or are imminent. A warning was in effect on Tuesday, and others could be issued later this week.
The catalysts of the warnings are strong winds, low relative humidity and warmer temperatures.
“Usually when you have dry conditions like we've been having, the grass and the weeds are all dried out," St. Joseph Chief Battalion Mike Wacker said. "But the warnings usually come when you have the low, medium and/or high winds.”
All of these combined create the dryer conditions, allowing fires to spread at a much faster rate.
During this time, any form of outdoor burning such as grilling, firepits and campfires is not recommended.
"Manmade fires are generally more common," Wacker said. "Usually somebody is trying to burn a field off, burning trash or having a campfire that gets out of hand with the wind."
In St. Joseph, the city does permit open burning between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily in April. However, officials can ban the practice on days when weather conditions create hazards.
