Forecast Prompts Fire Alert For Parts Of Maryland

MARYLAND — There is an enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires due to windy and dry conditions, according to the National Weather Service. The agency issued a special weather statement Sunday urging people in parts of Maryland and Virginia to be careful with any source of ignition and to dispose of smoking materials properly.

Northwest winds will be around 10 to 15 mph with frequent gusts around 20 to 25 mph on Sunday, forecasters say. Relative humidity will be between 20 and 30 percent.

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

Temperatures will be in the high 60s, topping out around 5 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service forecast for the Baltimore-Washington area. They will drop to the 40s overnight.

Officials said the special weather statement about the enhanced fire threat applies to these areas in Maryland: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's and Washington counties as well as Baltimore City.

The weather alert also includes the District of Columbia and parts of Virginia, the latter of which prohibits open burning before 4 p.m.

Here are some tips for safe ash disposal:

• Take ashes outside, away from the house and combustible material.
• Put ashes in a metal bucket/container.
• Always use a metal container; never use a plastic or paper bag.
• Completely immerse the materials in water.
• Clear an area for the container — possibly down to dirt, ruling out the possibility that grass could catch fire if it were knocked over.
• Allow the contents to soak for at least a week.