The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for southwest and west central Iowa, including Indianola, from 1-10 p.m. Saturday, March 21.
A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly.
While winds will not be overly strong, near record to record temperatures, fully cured grassland and cropland, and exceptionally dry air for Iowa will prevail Saturday afternoon into the early evening hours, the National Weather Service said. Fires will have a higher likelihood of igniting in these dry conditions, and will easily spread, perhaps rapidly at times.
Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
The Grassland Fire Danger Index lists the Indianola Fire District area as “Very High,” as of 8:08 a.m. Saturday.