The National Weather Service in Charleston is alerting the public of an elevated risk of forest fires Thursday. The weather service discourages any open burning Thursday due to increased wind and lower humidity, a news release from the Kanawha County Commission said. The high temperature forecasted for Thursday is 83 degrees. Kanawha County Emergency Management also encourages residents to avoid open burning until there is rain in the area. A chance of rain is possible Friday evening. Once it has rained, residents may burn brush on their property after 5 p.m. and before 7 a.m. The commission also advises there should be a 10-foot strip cleared around the fire and it be attended to at all times. Burning trash in West Virginia is illegal.