'Red flag' fire warning for Shawnee National Forest

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Shawnee National Forest fire management officials have issued a "red flag warning" for several counties in Southern Illinois and southeast Missouri, including Saline, Pope, Hardin and Gallatin counties. The warning extends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This means conditions are right for field fires and forest fires.

South winds from 10 to 20 mph are forecast for Monday afternoon, along with humidity from 20 to 25 percent. Outdoor burning is discouraged in the affected areas because firefighting efforts would be especially difficult, according to a news release from the USDA.