Local fire departments are warning Butler County residents that weather conditions combined with dry vegetation on the ground have created an elevated risk for fire Thursday and Friday.

During this time, outdoor burning is not recommended, and people are encouraged to properly discard cigarettes and avoid activities with open flames.

Winds are to exceed more than 10 mph both days, said Gary Wulff, chief of the Oneida Valley Volunteer Fire Department, and it is also to be sunny.

He said a wind-whipped fire in quick-burning dormant vegetation, as well as among dead, dry leaves, can cause a burn to easily become uncontrollable.

The National Weather Service said wind gusts today could as high as 24 mph.