Wildfire Threat As Red Flag Warning Issued, Temps Hit 80s In IL

ILLINOIS — The National Weather Service Chicago has issued a "red flag warning" due to the risk of wildfires on Wednesday.

The warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday for McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, La Salle, Kendall, Grundy and Will counties.

The weather service said that the dry fuels — dry vegetation such as grass, plants and trees that could act as kindling — plus low relative humidity and strong winds will create favorable conditions for "the rapid spread of wildfires."

Wednesday has a forecasted high of 83 degrees, and winds could be as high as 35 mph, according to the weather service.

Thursday will also have a fire risk, but it won't be as windy, the weather service said. The high for Thursday will be 83 degrees.

AccuWeather said the high is 79 degrees for Joliet on Wednesday. Temperatures could approach the record of 83, which was set in 1977, according to the private forecaster.