Fire caution urged Wednesday

Dry, blustery conditions are raising concerns at the National Weather Service Office in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Meteorologists issued a red flag warning, from noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, for portions of eight northwest Iowa counties. The warning area includes Spencer, Storm Lake and the Iowa Great Lakes.

A red flag warning means critical fire weather conditions are occurring or are expected to occur.

Afternoon wind speeds will frequently be at 25 mph and will be coupled with humidity values near 20 percent.

"The fine fuels continue to be very dry, therefore under these conditions fire growth could be very rapid," the agency's advisory said.

Outdoor burning should not take place in the warning area Wednesday afternoon.