A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

HIGH FIRE DANGER CONTINUES INTO EARLY EVENING... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... * AFFECTED AREA...Central, east central, and southeast Illinois. * WIND...South winds will gust from 40 to 45 mph the remainder of the afternoon north of a Springfield to Danville line, and from 35 to 40 mph south of there. * HUMIDITY...Around 20 percent. * IMPACTS...Several fires have developed this afternoon and gotten out of control. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. The threat is greatest in rural areas where harvest activities are occurring. Outdoor burning is not recommended.