Gusty winds and dry conditions will again create a danger for wildfires in Kansas to begin the week.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for central, south central and southeast Kansas. The Wichita area will be included in the warning from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday. A Fire Weather Watch will also be in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening for central, south central and southeastern areas of the state.
South winds will be 20 to 30 miles an hour with gusts up to 45, and with humidity as low as 17 percent there will be an extreme danger for grassland fires. Any fires that develop will likely spread quickly and become difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended and people are urged not to throw cigarette butts out of their vehicles.
A dramatic change is expected at mid-week, with colder temperatures and a chance of a rain and snow mix for the Wichita area. A Winter Storm Watch will be in effect Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon for northern and western areas of Kansas.
