Wildfire risk to focus across the Southwest, Plains - UPI.com

Individuals in the areas of concern are urged to use caution when using any outdoor power equipment. File Photo by Peter DaSilva/UPI | License Photo

Conditions will be conducive for wildfires across parts of the Southwest and Plains as a storm moving out of the Rockies will help raise the risk into early week, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.

"The same storm that will bring along the risk for a severe weather outbreak early this week will also promote a very high wildfire risk across parts of the Southwest and Plains," AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.

This storm will spread gusty winds across the region, combining with low relatively humidity and lack of recent rainfall setting the stage for favorable conditions for fires to rapidly start and spread across the region.

Two areas will be at risk for wildfires through Monday. The first area focuses across portions of the Central Valley and Mojave Desert in California. Meanwhile, the second area focuses from eastern Arizona to western Texas and Kansas where there is a very high fire risk from far eastern New Mexico to southwestern Kansas.