The National Weather Service at Topeka has issued a wind advisory for today, Wednesday, April 11, 2018, and Osage County Emergency Management has banned all outdoor burning due to very high fire danger.

The burn ban means no outside burning is allowed, and all burn permits are suspended until 8 a.m. April 12, unless the burn ban is extended. NWS has forecast that strong winds will continue into Friday in northeast Kansas.

Very high fire danger means fire control will be very difficult and require extended effort. A wind advisory means that sustained winds of 30 mph or gusts to 45 mph are expected. Steps should be taken to secure any lawn furniture or light weight objects and use extra caution when driving.

The NWS forecast says today will be sunny, with a high near 78, and windy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Wind gusts could be as high as 40 mph.

The current wind advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. this morning to 7 p.m. this evening for Osage, Morris, Lyon and Coffey counties.

For more information about the burn ban, contact Osage County Emergency Management at 785-828-3323.