NWS Issues Red Flag Warning for Most of Iowa
As we roll through fall the colors haven't changed much, that could be for the lack of rain. The colors are not as vibrant as in years past and rain has a direct impact on that. A lack of rain or drought conditions can significantly affect the way leaves change color in the fall. Trees may be stressed because of summer drought conditions and may lose their leaves prematurely or start color production prematurely which results in a reduction of color during the peak of the season. Iowa is having this issue now.
What is a Red Flag Warning?
Drought conditions can not only cause colors to be less vibrant but can also make everyday life a bit more challenging. That is what is happening now and it is something Iowa has seen before, Red Flag Warnings. 88 of Iowa's 99 counties are affected by the Red Flag Warnings. What is a red flag warning? That is when warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. Wikipedia says: A red flag warning is a forecast warning issued by the National Weather Service in the United States to inform the public, firefighters, and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire combustion, and rapid spread. The National Weather Service says part of Eastern Iowa is in extreme fire danger.
What can you do to help?
The NWS says If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch. Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire. Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.
When I was in the fire department part of our response area was Interstate 270, that road took you into and out of Washington DC. A couple of times a year we would get a call for a brush fire and cigarettes were a major cause. It didn't take a fire marshall to figure that out. Those little fires can turn into major blazes and it doesn't take much in these conditions.
When is the Red Flag Warning in Effect?
The Red Flag Warnings are in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the 88 counties that are impacted. The NWS says that outdoor burning is not recommended because of the potential for that fire to grow out of control and spread rapidly and be difficult to extinguish.
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