photo by: National Weather Services Topeka

High winds and dry conditions Friday have led officials across Northeast Kansas to warn of an increased risk for wildland fires.

The National Weather Service in Topeka issued a Red Flag warning for Friday across the region, adding “extreme fire weather conditions” are expected Friday afternoon and early evening. The service said the greatest concern is over central and east-central Kansas, but the conditions will be seen throughout the region, with winds gusting up to 40 to 60 miles per hour during the day.

Gov. Laura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency proclamation because of the high risk for wildland fires. In a press release, Kelly urged “everyone across the state to use extreme caution and avoid burning.” The emergency proclamation will last through the weekend.

In a Facebook post, the Douglas County Consolidated Fire District urged residents to “make sure that any burns from today or the past couple of days are completely out” ahead of the hazardous conditions Friday. The post warned the dry air could reignite smoldering embers.

In addition to the concern about fires, a few isolated, scattered storms may develop Friday afternoon over far northeast and far east-central Kansas. The areas of greater risk for severe weather are farther east, closer to the Missouri border.