Elevated fire dangers will be present this afternoon due to dry fuels (trees, bushes, grass, leaf litter), low humidity, and south winds from 10 mph to 15 mph.

Scott Barthelmass, Eureka Fire Protection District spokesperson, asked Eureka-Wildwood Patch to pass on this alert to raise community awareness.

Be careful if grilling outdoors, or if around fireworks as everyone starts the Fourth of July holiday time period, Barthelmass reminds.

"The hotter it gets, the lower the humidity gets, and the longer we go without rain, the more dry the fuels get, and the easier they burn," he said.

For fire education materials for youth—particularly Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts—delivered by Smokey the Bear, click here.

Update to article June 27; 1:13 p.m.:

Additional resources for fire prevention tips and Missouri-specific details include the following:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mtnf/home/?cid=fsm8_045667

http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/fire-management/wildfires/wildfire-prevention

http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/05/5249_3081.pdf