National Weather Service Issues Statement on Dry Conditions and Threat of Wildfires

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

mebrady@co.pg.md.us     Twitter: @PGFDPIO

The National Weather Service has issued a statement warning of an "enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires this afternoon."  Low humidity and winds are contributing factors to this NWS statement.  

Please be extra vigilant of practicing good fire safety habits today.  Be mindful that careless discarding of smoking materials could ignite outside fires that could be challenging for firefighters to extinguish.  The use of charcoal grills and power tools that produce "sparks" could also accidentally ignite an outside fire.

While we want everyone to practice fire safe habits all the time it is particularly important today!!!

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
837 AM EDT FRI MAR 14 2014

...ENHANCED THREAT FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRES THIS AFTERNOON...

SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL BE SUSTAINED AROUND 15 MPH WITH FREQUENT
GUSTS AROUND 25 MPH THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS MOST OF
MARYLAND...NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA...AND EASTERN WEST
VIRGINIA. THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL DROP TO BETWEEN 15 AND 25
PERCENT ACROSS MOST LOCATIONS. THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY
WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND LOW FUEL MOISTURE WILL ENHANCE
THE THREAT FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRES.

OPEN BURNING OF ANY TYPE IS CONSIDERED VERY HAZARDOUS THIS TIME
OF YEAR. ACCIDENTAL ESCAPED DEBRIS BURNS ARE THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE
OF WILDFIRES.