Forecast Prompts Fire Alert For Parts Of Maryland

Officials are warning against wildfires igniting and spreading Friday afternoon due to weather conditions in Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties.

Dry fuels, low relative humidity and gusty winds will increase the likelihood that wildfires could ignite and spread, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a special weather statement alerting residents.

The alert applies to western Allegany, northern Baltimore, Cecil, Carroll, Frederick, Harford and Washington counties, including Hagerstown, Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Elkton, Frostburg, Cumberland and Jarrettsville.

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

See the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.