Open burning has been canceled for Thursday with strong winds in the forecast.

The St. Joseph Police Department issued an alert Thursday morning to let the public know that open burning for the day has been canceled due to heavy wind.

According to the National Weather Service, winds will be gusty and out of the southwest around 20 to 30 MPH.  That combined with low relative humidity levels will result in elevated fire weather concerns today.  The service said the rapid spread of grass fires will be possible if an ignition source is found.