Dry, Warm, Windy Conditions Now In Chesco Mean Fires Start Easily

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Dry, warm, and windy weather this week means conditions are perfect for wildfires to start and to spread quickly.

The National Weather Service said there is an enhanced danger for fire spread on Monday and Tuesday in southeastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey.

Citing humidity levels in the low- to mid-20 percent range, and wind gusts of 20 to 25 miles per hour, the NWS said low humidity and warming temperatures will create favorable conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread.

On Tuesday, relative humidity values will again fall into the low to mid 20 percent range across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Northwest winds will be slightly weaker Tuesday, with gusts up to
20 mph at times.

NWS urged residents to exercise caution handling any potential ignition source, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches.

"Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. Any dry grasses and tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly," the NWS said.

Areas listed in the National Weather Service Special Weather Statement on April 5 include:

New Castle-Kent-Inland Sussex-Delaware Beaches-Kent MD-
Queen Annes-Talbot-Caroline-Sussex-Warren-Morris-Hunterdon-
Somerset-Middlesex-Western Monmouth-Eastern Monmouth-Mercer-Salem-
Gloucester-Camden-Northwestern Burlington-Ocean-Cumberland-
Atlantic-Cape May-Atlantic Coastal Cape May-Coastal Atlantic-
Coastal Ocean-Southeastern Burlington-Carbon-Monroe-Berks-Lehigh-
Northampton-Delaware-Philadelphia-Western Chester-Eastern Chester-
Western Montgomery-Eastern Montgomery-Upper Bucks-Lower Bucks-
Including the cities of Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown,
Rehoboth Beach, Chestertown, Centreville, Easton, Denton, Newton,
Washington, Morristown, Flemington, Somerville, New Brunswick,
Freehold, Sandy Hook, Trenton, Pennsville, Glassboro, Camden,
Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Mount Holly, Jackson, Millville,
Hammonton, Cape May Court House, Ocean City, Atlantic City,
Long Beach Island, Wharton State Forest, Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg,
Reading, Allentown, Bethlehem, Media, Philadelphia, Honey Brook,
Oxford, West Chester, Kennett Square, Collegeville, Pottstown,
Norristown, Lansdale, Chalfont, Perkasie, Morrisville,
and Doylestown.

For more information about wildfire danger, burn restriction, and wildfire prevention and education, please visit your state forestry or environmental protection website.