DAVENPORT, Iowa — A burn ban is in effect in Scott County until further notice. The Scott County Emergency Management Agency says current dry conditions mean open burning poses a threat to life and property.
Sunday, March 3, is expected to bring record-high temperatures in the mid-70s, with wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour. These conditions pose an extreme fire danger as controlled burns or even a spark from a cigarette butt could easily turn into a large fire.
"The models are giving a strong indication of strong winds out of the south," National Weather Service QC Warning Coordination Meteorologist Rich Kinney said. The NWS uses satellite imagery to track hot spots and notify authorities of fires they may not be aware of.
Kinney's advice for those considering a controlled burn this weekend is simple: Don't do it.
"If any kind of fire starts with those conditions, that could really spread out of control or pretty quickly," he said. Kinney advises that you clear the area within a 10-foot radius around campfires and use grills on gravel or paved surfaces.
Red flag conditions are in place on Sunday. Eldridge Fire Chief Keith Schneckloth has seen many fires caused in these conditions.
"Every year, we have several fires where people may discard a cigarette butt alongside a road, and pretty soon we're called to a ditch on fire or alongside the highway," Chief Schneckloth said.
Dry conditions play the largest role in fires starting, but Schneckloth says high winds pose the greatest danger.
"A lot of times you have to play the wind, if you will," Schneckloth said. "You have to decide where it's going to go, what it could do." He says a backyard recreational fire can quickly spread and begin burning acres of land before a fire department has time to arrive on scene.