Those planning to have any outdoor fires are strongly encouraged to take extra care -- or, better yet, schedule it for another day.
According to the National Weather Service, several factors mean an elevated fire risk Sunday afternoon until early Sunday evening. This alert impacts much of northern Ohio.
The combination of warm temperatures, low minimum relative humidity values between 25 and 35%, southeast wind gusts of 15 to 20 miles per hour and recent dry weather and drought conditions across much of the area will lead to elevated fire danger this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Any fires that start may spread rapidly and become difficult to control, especially in areas of brush, dropped leaves, and unharvested fields. Area residents should take extra care to prevent the start of accidental fires when smoking or operating vehicles around dropped leaves and dormant vegetation or crops.
Those who do see a fire should call 911.