Wind, dry leaves are a dangerous mixture for fall fires in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Tuesday’s conditions created the perfect environment for fires to spread.

Clint Aegerter, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said there are three factors that officials consider a major fire hazard: low humidity, wind and dry foliage on the ground.

The mixture of those factors most commonly happens in the fall, which is why the weather service is asking people to be careful.

“It’s something people should always be aware of, especially on those windy days,” Aegerter said.

Lincoln Fire & Rescue said even the smallest of sparks can become an uncontrollable blaze in the right conditions.

Battalion Chief Eddie Mueller said you can do your part to prevent that.

“We hope that people are kind of doing the yard cleanup things, looking under the deck, trying to remove anything that’s dry and close to the house,” he said.

And officials say to be cautious of the little everyday habits you might have that could become dangerous.

“If you’re driving down the highway, don’t throw your cigarette butt out the window,” Aegerter said.

Improperly discarded cigarettes are one of the most common fire starters, along with backyard fire pits and grills.

“When you’re cooking outside, know how big your flames are on your grill and what you’re cooking,” Mueller said. “And don’t just discard anything and think that it’s out. The wind can come up and take embers away into other dry yards.”

Always make sure the fire is completely out before you leave it unattended.

And if you do happen to start a fire, don’t hesitate to call it in.

“Even with the smallest fires, calling 911 immediately is the No. 1 thing we want people to do because getting resources en route to that location is the best thing they can do,” Mueller said.