Windy conditions and low humidity will lead to a high fire danger in parts of southwest Missouri today, March 29, including the Joplin area.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning from noon to 9 p.m. for Barton, Cedar, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, Newton, St. Clair and Vernon Counties.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.
Winds will be out of the south at 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 miles per hour in those areas. Humidity will be 20 to 30 percent and temperatures will reach the low to mid 70s. Because of that, any fires that develop today will spread rapidly, according to the weather service. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
