Central IL fire depts. warn of elevated fire risk Sunday

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Several fire departments and more across Central Illinois are warning residents of an elevated fire risk Sunday and urging people to postpone burning if possible.

The heightened risk comes as a result of humidity levels dropping 20-25%, along with winds gusting 25-30 mph, according to the US National Weather Service Central Illinois.

They added that anyone who was planning on doing any burning today should hold off until Monday when winds will diminish. Farmers should be extra cautious when harvesting as there is also a potential for field fires.

Dried-out vegetation could become fire hazards, according to the Vermilion County Emergency Management Agency . They added that the stretch of dry weather is very likely to continue through at least next Saturday.

“Burning is STRONGLY discouraged. It’s not worth the RISK, please wait to burn until another day!” the Sidney Fire Protection District said in a Facebook post Sunday morning.

The Ogden-Royal Fire Protection District shared a similar message , also discouraging Central Illinois residents from burning amid the heightened risk.

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