Elevated Fire Threat (11/9/24)

 
An Elevated Fire Threat is in effect to 1 pm Saturday, November 9, 2024 including the following Washington, DC region jurisdictions.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
MARYLAND: Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Cecil, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Charles, St. Mary’s, Calvert, Montgomery, Howard, Harford.
VIRGINIA: Rappahannock, Culpeper, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, King George, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park.

Excerpted from the National Weather Service:

…ELEVATED FIRE DANGER THROUGH MIDDAY ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA, AS WELL AS NORTH-CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST TO SOUTHERN MARYLAND…

Elevated potential for the rapid spread of fire is expected through midday due to the combination of dry conditions and gusty winds. Relative humidity values drop to around 25 to 35 percent, along with sustained northerly around 10 to 15 mph and gusts to 20 to 25 mph. This will result in the rapid drying of fine fuels like grass, leaves, and small shrubs.

Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution if handling open flames or equipment that create sparks. Also, dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and other flammable items in appropriate containers. Keep vehicles off of dry grass and obey local burn bans. Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could easily ignite and spread a fire quickly.

For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and education, please visit your state`s forestry or environmental protection website.
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An Elevated Fire Threat is in effect to 1 pm Saturday, November 9, 2024 including the following Washington, DC region jurisdictions.

VIRGINIA: Blue Ridge.

Excerpted from the National Weather Service:

…ELEVATED FIRE DANGER THROUGH MIDDAY ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS…

Elevated potential for the rapid spread of fire is expected through midday due to the combination of dry conditions and gusty winds. Relative humidity values drop to around 15 to 25 percent, along with sustained northerly around 10 to 15 mph and gusts to around 20 mph. This will result in the rapid drying of fine fuels like grass, leaves, and small shrubs.

Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution if handling open flames or equipment that create sparks. Also, dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and other flammable items in appropriate containers. Keep vehicles off of dry grass and obey local burn bans. Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could easily ignite and spread a fire quickly.

For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and education, please visit your state`s forestry or environmental protection website.
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An Elevated Fire Threat is in effect to 1 pm Saturday, November 9, 2024 including the following Washington, DC region jurisdictions.

MARYLAND: Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline.

Excerpted from the National Weather Service:

…Increased Risk of Fire Spread Today…

There is an increased risk of fire spread today. Northwest winds this morning will range from 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph, though humidity values will remain above 30 percent during this time. After noon later today, relative humidity values will fall to 20 to 25 percent, but at that time, winds become north and will diminish to 5 to 10 mph. These conditions will support the spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Be sure to properly extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including smoking materials such as cigarette butts. Burn restrictions and burn bans are in effect for some areas. Refer to your state`s forest fire management agency for more information on burn restrictions in your local area.
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An Elevated Fire Threat is in effect to 4 pm Saturday, November 9, 2024 including the following Washington, DC region jurisdictions.

MARYLAND: Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, inland Worcester.

Excerpted from the National Weather Service:

…Increased Fire Danger Today…

Elevated fire weather conditions are expected across the lower Maryland Eastern Shore later this morning through this afternoon in the wake of a dry cold frontal passage. Northwest wind gusts of around 20 mph, in combination with forecast minimum Relative Humidity values of 20 to 30%, will present an increased risk for the spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control. Winds decrease later this afternoon, ending the fire danger threat.

Residents are urged to exercise caution handling any potential ignition source…including machinery… cigarettes…and matches. Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. Any dry grasses and tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has issued a statewide open burn ban effective as of November 1, 2024.