The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning for this afternoon into early this evening for the western and central counties of the state. This is due to low relative humidity and breezy conditions which will lead to a extreme risk of wildfires in these areas. This includes the cities of Fort Dodge, Spencer, Sioux City, Ames, Des Moines and Council Bluffs.

Winds during the afternoon and early evening hours will be between 15-25mph with gusts over 30mph out of the west and northwest. Relative humidity will be between 15-25% in these areas. Any controlled burns in these areas could quickly become out of control.