Fire Danger Map Key: Low (green); moderate (yellow); high (orange); and extreme (red)
A portion of the KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot coverage area in North Central Arkansas remains under an elevated wildfire danger.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission’s website indicates Boone and Newton counties are under a high wildfire danger classification.
In Missouri, KYTV (KY3) reports National Weather Service (NWS) officials in Springfield issued an elevated fire alert over the weekend that is carrying over into this week.
Weather officials are warning that fires can spread rapidly with the warmer, but windy conditions. The NWS does not recommend outdoor burning through at least Monday afternoon.
Gene Hatch, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, tells KY3, “We’re a little unusual right now in how warm we are, when we’re getting into the 70s this time of year.”
NWS officials in Springfield say activating elevated fire conditions aren’t out of the ordinary in the fall. But Hatch says it is unusual to have such warm temperatures this time of year, and how that could increase the chance of outdoor fires.
“The warmer temperatures you have and the lower amount of moisture in the air can really make the relative humidities drop very quickly,” says Hatch.
Hatch explains how a flurry of different criteria needs to be met to issue an elevated alert or even a red flag for fires.
“What we’re really looking at is that combination of dry air across the area, gusty winds, or breezy or windy conditions, and dry fuels,” says Hatch.
NWS meteorologists say dry fuels can be leaves on the ground, dead and alive trees, or bushes.
Hatch says we have had a dry December compared to past years, putting more leaf litter on the ground, so fires have an increased chance to start.
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