Kansas heat conditions pose fire risk

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The top fire official in Kansas says residents should be careful about summer activities that involve fire because the state has been hit with conditions that could help fire spread rapidly.

Red flag warnings are out for northwest and north-central Kansas through Wednesday, meaning triple-digit temperatures, strong winds and low humidity pose a serious risk of fire across the region.

Terry Maple, acting Kansas Fire Marshal, said Tuesday that while Kansas doesn't have the deep forests of Colorado, where fires have burned thousands of acres, there is plenty of combustible material in Kansas. He says fires on rangeland, dry pastureland and areas with tall fescue grasses can burn quickly.

Maple encourages people to be responsible with fireworks and grilling, and any controlled outdoor burning, particularly with Independence Day coming up.