Heightened fire danger in northern Illinois due to winds, mild temps

A Special Weather Statement has been issued for northern Illinois, particularly areas north of Interstate 80, warning of heightened fire danger due to strong southwest winds, low humidity, and unseasonably mild temperatures.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Chicago issued the alert, urging residents to take precautions.

Why It Matters

The combination of strong winds, dry conditions, and warm temperatures increases the risk of wildfires, particularly in grassy or wooded areas. Officials warn that fires could spread quickly under these conditions, posing threats to property and public safety.

In addition to the fire risk, other weather hazards have been identified. A hydrologic outlook warns of significant ice coverage on area rivers, heightening the potential for localized ice jam flooding. The Kankakee River is already under a flood advisory due to an ice jam, while a wind advisory warns of gusts between 45 and 55 mph through January 29.

What To Know

The areas affected by the Special Weather Statement include multiple counties in Illinois such as Winnebago, McHenry, Lake, DuPage, Cook, and Will, among others. The advisory remains in effect through January 28, with the wind advisory extending into January 29.

Wind gusts between 25 and 35 mph, peaking at 55 mph, are expected to create dangerous fire risk conditions. Additionally, temperatures above normal for this time of year and low relative humidity contribute to the heightened risk.

The hydrologic outlook stresses concerns for ice jams forming on rivers, which can lead to sudden and localized flooding. The flood advisory for the Kankakee River remains active as officials monitor water levels.

What People Are Saying

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the NWS in Chicago said: “Dry air and strong winds gusting as high as 40 to 50 mph will lead to a heightened fire danger this afternoon, especially near and north of I-80. Use extra caution when disposing smoking materials today and postpone any unnecessary burning.”

In its advisory, the weather office said: “The strong winds in combination with low humidity and mild temperatures will again result in a very high fire danger. Any fires that develop will spread quickly.”

It added: “The strongest wind gusts currently look to occur between 1 and 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. It is highly recommended to avoid any activities that can easily start a fire today.”

What Happens Next

The heightened fire danger will persist until weather conditions improve. The wind advisory will remain in effect through January 29, and officials will continue monitoring ice conditions on rivers for potential flooding concerns. Residents are encouraged to stay updated through official NWS channels and adhere to any advisories or warnings issued by local authorities.