The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday for strong northwest winds and low relative humidities.

Geary, Dickinson, Clay, Riley, Morris, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Ottaway, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Lyon, Osage and Coffey Counties are included in the warning area.

Winds will shift to the northwest and strengthen by the early afternoon. Sustained speeds are expected to be between 20 and 25 mph with gusts near 40 mph through the afternoon.

Fires could begin quickly, spread furiously and burn intensely.