Due to high winds forecasted from now until Tuesday evening, the National Weather Service (NWS) is cautioning there is an increased risk of grassland fires in Iowa. Carroll Fire Chief, Greg Schreck, says these types of advisories are known as “red flag warnings” and should be taken seriously.
Now is a critical time of the year for grassland fires. High winds combined with a large amount of dry vegetation pose a significant risk of fires getting out of control. Schreck says the weather plays a huge role in fire safety, even after the burn is over.
Winds gusted over 40 miles per hour on Monday and are expected to remain strong throughout tomorrow (Tuesday) Schreck advises delaying any planned burns until the weather conditions are more favorable. Anybody planning a controlled burn is asked to contact the communication center to check conditions by calling 792-3536.
