The dry weather and high wind in West Michigan has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning.
The warning means people should be extra cautious with open flames because of “very dry” conditions, more wind and “dry vegetation,” NWS Grand Rapids posted on its social media Tuesday. A combination of those conditions increases the risk of fire.
The NWS warned people to avoid open flames and be extra careful while discarding burning material.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends avoiding the use of lawn mowers in dry grasses, putting outdoor fires out properly by drowning them with plenty of water, soaking ashes and charcoal in water and throwing them away in a metal can. IAFC says never to throw cigarettes out of a vehicle, drive a vehicle in tall grass or let trailer chains drag on the ground.