CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for multiple counties across Central Illinois, recommending that people avoid burning anything outdoors.

Forecasters said on The Weather Channel’s Nextdoor that there are high winds and low relative humidity throughout the region, making for prime fire conditions. The wind could gust up to 45 miles per hour and humidity could be as low as 20%.

Under these conditions, forecasters said, any fire that starts will catch and spread quickly. For that reason, they have issued a red flag warning for Central Illinois.

“A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly,” they said. “A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.”

Affected counties in the WCIA viewing area include Logan, DeWitt, Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon, Christian, Macon, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Edgar, Shelby, Cumberland, Clark and Effingham Counties.

Despite this warning, at least two fires have already occurred, one in Vermilion County between Alvin and Rossville and one in Champaign County between Urbana and St. Joseph.

The Red Flag Warning will remain in effect until 6 p.m.