Strong winds are expected across Kansas on Friday, and with dry conditions there will be a high to extreme fire danger for south central and southeast Kansas during the day.
The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for Friday because of extreme grassland fire danger. The watch area includes Sedgwick, Harvey, Reno, Kingman, Harper and Sumner counties, along with Butler, Cowley, Marion and Chase counties. There will be south winds at 30 to 40 miles an hour with gusts up to 60 expected. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and become very difficult to control, and outdoor burning is not recommended.
A high wind watch will be in effect Friday for Butler and Cowley counties, extending into southeast Kansas. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines and widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Very strong and damaging southwest winds will create volatile fire conditions on Friday, especially for areas along and southeast of the Kansas Turnpike.
Governor Kelly has issued a verbal state of disaster emergency proclamation for the state, and that will allow state resources to be used for assistance to local communities. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management will staff the State Emergency Operations Center with their Emergency Support Function partners starting Friday to assist counties and local responders if requested.
