Winds, low humidity spark fire danger in southern NE, northern KS

The National Weather Service is monitoring conditions ripe for the spread of any fires in southern Nebraska and northern Kansas Wednesday.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the following counties: 

Thayer, Nuckolls, Webster, Frankling, Harlan, Furnas, Gosper, Phelps, Kearney, Adams in Nebraska 

Washington, Republic, Jewell, Smithig Phillips, Cloud, Mitchell, Osborne, Rooks, Clay, Riley, Greary, Dickinson, Ottawa in Kansas

Officials say sustained winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour with gusts as high as 60 miles per hour are expected Wednesday. 

Humidity levels can be as low as 25 percent. Any fires that start would spread rapidly and be difficult to bring under control. 

Also due to the win, blowing dust is expected to be an issue for travelers Wednesday as it reduces visibility.