The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for multiple counties across Central Illinois, recommending that people avoid burning anything outdoors.

A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are or will be occurring. Throughout the day today, the forecast has winds gusting from 30 to 40 mph, low humidity, and with the ground being so dry from the drought, these are all prime conditions for a fire to spread very rapidly.

Strong winds and low humidity could facilitate the rapid spread of fires across six states on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.