Red Flag warnings for significant portion of Idaho; burn bans issued

IDAHO FALLS — National Weather Service officials say fire conditions are critical throughout the state.

NWS has issued a Reg Flag warning for a majority of counties in Idaho, in addition to most of northern Utah, Nevada and southern Montana.

The warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.

Humidity is hovering between 10 to 15 percent in those regions, and wind speeds are gusting between 25 to 40 mph depending on your location. Isolated thunderstorms are also forecast.

A Red Flag warning means that any fires that develop or are already burning will likely spread rapidly.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged and burn bans and restrictions are in effect in many parts of eastern Idaho.

Bonneville County is under a burn ban from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.

Madison County has declared an open fire ban from Aug. 2 to Sept. 30.

Fremont County initiated a burn ban on Wednesday, which is in effect until officials decide to lift it.

Jefferson County is considering an open burn ban at a County Commission meeting on Monday. Central Fire District, which covers Jefferson County, has issued several smaller burn bans in the last week.

These bans mean that all outside fires are essentially prohibited on private land. The exception is small recreational fires burning in approved fire pits or grills.

Violations of burn bans are typically misdemeanors and carry fines of several hundred dollars.

Warnings against burning have also been issued on state and federal lands.