Red flag warnings are in effect for some states with record temperatures forecast

Red flag warnings were active in several central U.S. states on Tuesday, forecasters said record temperatures and strong winds a cold front raises the risk of wildfires in the drought-stricken region.

Across the Great Plains high temperature warninglow humidity and strong winds were observed across eastern Colorado, western and northern Kansas, western Oklahoma, and parts of the Texas Panhandle. Fire warnings were issued for the Midwest, east-central Illinois, including the city of Chicago, and much of central Indiana.

From northern Texas to Wisconsin and West Virginia, afternoon highs are forecast to reach 70 to 80 degrees — about 20 to 35 degrees above average for this time of year and soon to break records. according to the Hydrometeorological Center.

The rapid rise in temperatures resulting from the drought persisting in the central US, caused a warning from meteorologists urging people not to throw cigarettes or matches on the ground and to extinguish the fire with plenty of water.

“Record heat, strong southwesterly winds and dry conditions will cause grass or brush fires to get out of control,” the weather service in Chicago said. said in a post on X. “Report any fires to local emergency management officials immediately.”

Rising temperatures in the Northeast are prompting more fire warnings

During the rest of the week, as a cold front moves across the central US from the west, a warm front will move eastward, raising temperatures across the Plains and Midwest regions.

By Halloween, temperatures could reach record highs in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Cities like Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia are expected to see afternoon highs in the lower 80s, more than 15 degrees above the historical average. according to AccuWeather.

A factor driving the rising temperatures in the East is a lack of precipitation, making October the driest month on record for Philadelphia and New York, neither of which have seen measurable precipitation since September, AccuWeather reported. New York was placed under red flag warning on Saturday with gusty wind and low humidity.

While temperatures rise sharply in the east, a cold front will ease the central US with cooler weather, dropping daytime highs into the 50s and 60s.

Portions of every state in the Plains and Midwest regions are experiencing drought conditions, and some areas are experiencing severe and extreme drought. according to the US Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry conditions are observed in most states of the country.

Forest fires are raging all over the country

Thirteen large active wildfires have burned more than a million acres across the country, from California to Massachusetts, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

A wildfire in Teller County in central Colorado has forced the evacuation of more than 700 households and closed schools. The fire, which was first reported Monday afternoon, has burned through nearly 100 acres northwest of Colorado Springs, according to the Teller County Sheriff’s Office. The reason remains unknown.

In Oklahoma, a fire prompted the evacuation of nearby homes in Logan County, north of Oklahoma City. All county fire personnel responded to the fire and prevented it from spreading to neighboring Payne County. Elsewhere in the state, authorities battled at least three other fires that burned more than 13,000 acres. This is reported by the National Interdepartmental Fire Fighting Center.

There are at least 47 active brush fires in Massachusetts it is stated in the message of the fire safety department Monday, adding that 18 cases were reported in 24 hours. Power in Millburytown south of Worcester, said a woman was found dead Saturday at a campsite where a small fire had started. Officials have not determined the cause of the fire.

New Jersey firefighters are 90 percent contained to a wildfire in Essex County that has burned more than 192 acres, according to the state wildfire service. Local and state authorities have responded to hundreds of wildfires this month as New Jersey and much of the Northeast grapple with continued drought conditions.