The dry weather combined with low humidity and high winds prompt area cities and counties to discourage burning, especially during the next few days.

The Nowata Fire Department has banned outdoor burning including open flames for cooking until further notice. Authorities in Elk County and in Labette County have issued county-wide burn bans in effect until further notice, while Montgomery County Emergency Management strongly urges all residents to restrict outdoor burning for the next week.

The National Weather Service in Wichita has listed the risk for fire in southeast Kansas for Friday as either Extreme or Catastrophic.