Elevated Fire Danger Expected Tuesday Across the Parkland

Park Hills, Mo. (KFMO) - The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued an advisory for elevated fire danger across the entire Parkland area on Tuesday. With southerly winds expected to gust between 30-35 miles per hour, low relative humidity around 40 percent, and increasingly dry fuels, conditions are primed for rapid fire spread and erratic fire behavior if a fire is ignited.

The National Weather Service warns that these factors create a high risk for any new fire to spread quickly and unpredictably, especially given the dry weather leading up to Tuesday. Dead fuels—such as fallen leaves and dry grasses—will continue to dry out, becoming highly flammable. Weather Service experts emphasize that southerly winds will be well above the minimum thresholds for elevated fire danger, heightening the likelihood of hazardous conditions.

Chief of the Big River Bonne Terre Fire Department, David Pratte, says it's better not to take a chance on creating an out of control fire.

In light of this forecast, the National Weather Service recommends that inexperienced individuals avoid any burning on Tuesday. Residents are encouraged to leave burning tasks to professionals and to exercise caution, as fires could escalate quickly in these conditions.

This elevated fire risk advisory serves as a precaution for all residents to be mindful of fire safety as these weather patterns persist.