ST. LOUIS – Over the span of a few weeks, fires have broken out across the state, causing hazy skies for everyone, reduced air quality, and forcing evacuations in some areas.

But where are all these fires coming from?

The most common reason is simply from brushfires in bad conditions. Lately, the area has been issued several red flag warnings and elevated fire dangers, which attribute to high winds with low relative humidity and low dead fuel moisture, or simply an extra dry environment. These conditions mixed with flames “can contribute to extreme fire behavior,” the NWS said.

And until we get a significant amount of rain, the area will continue to see these same conditions.

Just Wednesday night, an evacuation was ordered to a portion of residents in Reynolds County, Missouri, due to the brushfires out of control. Wind gusts during the day reached up to 60 mph in the viewing area.

Before the severe weather Friday, one Bellefontaine Neighbors resident lost everything after as fire spread through the area, with wind suspected as a factor. Other residences had siding melt, or their homes were destroyed.

The National Weather Service urges people to avoid any outdoor burning, properly extinguish cigarettes, and avoid stopping/parking vehicles on dry vegetation for the time being.

Additionally, downed power lines have been igniting flames from recent winds and storms. At Macks Creek near the Lake of the Ozarks area, around two dozen structures burned, in addition to 500 acres across Camden County last week.

Luckily, there may be opportunity for decent rain Saturday evening into Sunday, FOX 2 meteorologist Chris Higgins said.

To stay updated on current red flag warnings or elevated fire dangers, click here.