UPDATE 7 a.m. Thursday: The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued red flag warnings for much of Kansas, including all of the counties in our area.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.NWS in Wichita has issued a red flag warning for strong northwest wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from noon today to 6 p.m. CST this evening for the following counties in our area.Ellsworth CountyMarion CountyMcPherson CountySaline CountyExtreme grassland fire danger is forecast.Winds: Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.Relative Humidity: As low as 19 percent.Impacts: Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and become very difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.Additionally, NWS in Wichita has issued a red flag warning for strong northwest wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from noon today to 6 p.m. CST this evening for Lincoln County.Extreme grassland fire danger is forecast.Winds: Northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.Relative Humidity: As low as 17 percent.Impacts: Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and become very difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.NWS in Topeka has issued a&nbsp;red flag warning in effect from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday for the following counties in our area.Clay CountyCloud CountyDickinson CountyOttawa CountyRepublic CountyWIND: Northwest 20 to 30 mph, with winds gusting as high as 35 to 40 mph.HUMIDITY: Minimum relative humidity values 15 to 20 percent.IMPACTS: Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.NWS in Hastings, Neb., has issued a red flag warning in effect from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday for the following counties in our area.Jewell CountyMitchell CountyWINDS: Northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 35 to 45 mph.RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 15 to 20 percent.IMPACTS: Any fires that develop will spread quickly and be difficult to control...exhibiting extreme fire behavior. Use caution if engaging in activities that could start a fire.Red flag warnings and a fire weather watch have been issued for counties in our area.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.The National Weather Service (NWS) in Topeka has issued a red flag warning in effect from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday for the following counties in our area.Clay CountyCloud CountyDickinson CountyOttawa CountyRepublic CountyWIND: Northwest 15 to 25 mph, with winds gusting as high as 35 to 40 mph.HUMIDITY: 15 to 20 percent.IMPACTS: Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.NWS in Hastings, Neb., has issued a red flag warning in effect from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday for the following counties in our area.Jewell CountyMitchell CountyWINDS...Northwest 25 to 30 mph with gusts around 40 mph.RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Between 15 and 20 percent.IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread quickly and be difficult to control...exhibiting extreme fire behavior. Use caution if engaging in activities that could start a fire.Additionally, NWS in Wichita has issued a fire weather watch in effect Thursday afternoon for Lincoln County.A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur.Winds...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.Relative Humidity...As low as 17 percent.Impacts...Any fires that develop may spread rapidly and become very difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

UPDATE: NWS issues red flag warnings for all of area