Update Oct. 18, 2024: Osage County Emergency Management has announced that Osage County is under a burn ban today, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. All outdoor burning is prohibited.
Update Oct. 17, 2024: Osage County Emergency Management has announced that Osage County is under a burn ban today. All outdoor burning is prohibited.
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a red flag warning that will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, for a portion of east central Kansas that includes Osage County. The warning has been issued due to forecast gusty winds, low humidity, and dry fuels.
The warning area includes fire weather zones of Osage, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Riley, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Jefferson, Geary, Morris, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Douglas, Lyon, Franklin, Coffey, and Anderson counties.
For Thursday, the forecast calls for south southwest winds sustained between 20-30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, and humidity is expected to be in the 19-25 percent range.
A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop could spread rapidly. Do not burn outdoors. Never throw cigarettes out of a vehicle. Use caution with anything that could spark a fire. Report any wildfires to authorities immediately.
