Fire Danger for Plains through Wednesday

Mar 6, 2012; 12:13 PM ET

An elevated risk of wildfires exists over portions of the Plains, especially in southern areas, into Wednesday.

The combination of dry brush, strong winds, warmth and low humidity will create a zone of high fire danger into Wednesday, especially from eastern New Mexico and western Texas, northward to the central Plains.

Gusts to 40 mph will be common throughout the Plains and Midwest ahead of a storm system moving out of the Rockies and Southwest.

Winds will be especially strong moving out of New Mexico and into western Texas. This area is the driest and warmest in the region, and there is no snowcover.

Any fire can spread rapidly in the dry, windy, warm conditions.

People are urged to exercise extreme caution when using outdoor power equipment and parking vehicles over dry brush. The hot exhaust can ignite a blaze.

Less favorable conditions for wildfires will spread from west to east across the area through the rest of the week. Part of the area in the fire risk zone will receive a dose of rain.

Fire Danger for Plains through Wednesday