"FIRE WEATHER WATCH" Posted for Friday Afternoon

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

The National Weather Service has posted a seldom used "Fire Weather Watch" for Prince George's County and other surrounding jurisdictions for Friday afternoon.  We ask everyone to heed the watch and warnings.

Event: Fire Weather Watch Alert: ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR PORTIONS OF MARYLAND...NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND THE EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH...IN EFFECT FRIDAY AFTERNOON. * HUMIDITY...25 TO 30 PERCENT. * WINDS...WEST 25 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH. * FUEL MOISTURE...5 TO 7 PERCENT. Instructions: A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

It was just over a year ago when similar weather condition existed and a warning issued.  February 19, 2011, was the busiest brush fire day in the history of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department. See the recap of that story here.

Citizens, residents and visitors are asked to exercise extreme safety measures during these warnings.

• Dispose of smoking materials in an appropriate container and ensure they are completely extinguished.  Do not discard these items into any open area as they may start a fire that will spread rapidly.  Do not dispose of smoking materials out of your vehicle when traveling.

• Business owners and property managers should have appropriate disposable containers in areas where smoking occurs outside.

• Do not burn brush or trash ever without appropriate approval.

• We request that you not use outside grills or cooking equipment during these times.  If you must, ensure you have some type of extinguishing agent nearby (water hose, bucket of sand, fire extinguisher, etc.)

• If you have fireplace ashes; you must put them into a sealed metal container placed on a concrete surface away from any structures.  If possible - wait to clean your fireplace until this weather event is over.
• Use common sense and practice sound fire safety habits.