The National Weather Service in Dodge City is warning of an elevated risk of wildfires as the mercury rises this weekend.
The high temperature Sunday is expected to be in the mid-80s, with sustained southwest winds between 30 and 35 mph, with gusts as high as 70 mph. The wind, which is expected to continue well into Sunday night, is expected to cause "widespread blowing dust," which could affect visibility.
Coupled with the ongoing drought, vegetation beginning to go dormant, and no precipitation in the forecast, the risk of wildfires will be "near critical," the NWS predicted.