A red flag warning has been issued for several states on the East Coast for high winds due to the unusually warm weather and dry, windy conditions hitting the region.
The National Weather Service (NWS) displayed alerts in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
A red flag warning is issued when a combination of high winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will create significantly elevated fire growth potential.
New York City, including Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley, have also been placed under alert after the region was declared under a “drought watch” last week.
The red flag warning will remain in effect until 6 pm ET.
Today, west winds of five to 15 miles per hour with gusts up to 30 miles per hour and relative humidity as low as 28 percent are expected.
The combination of factors “creates a significantly elevated fire growth potential,” causing fires that can spread rapidly without warning.
This is a developing story… More updates to come.
A red flag warning has been issued for several states on the East Coast for high winds due to the unusually warm weather and dry, windy conditions hitting the region.
There are burning restrictions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and residents are advised to use only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, unpainted wood.
“Any fire that develops will spread rapidly,” the warning reads. “Open burning is not recommended.”
