Fire, Wind Warnings Issued by Weather Service

The National Weather Service says that dry and windy weather today could create flammable conditions  ideal for the spread of wildfires. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 9 a.m. this morning to 6 p.m. this evening. A Fire Weather Watch issued earlier on Sunday is no longer in effect.

A Wind Advisory has also been issued from noon to 10 p.m. tonight. The region will see sustained winds of 15 to 30 miles per hour on throughout Monday with gusts up to 45 mph. 

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are imminent. The combination of strong winds with low relative humidity and warm temperatures could create the potential for explosive fire growth conditions. 

A Fire Weather Message issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday night called predicted a cold front would sweep southeast across the region today. In its wake, the front would leave strong west winds which will combine with low humidity levels and drying fuels to create dangerous fire conditions through Monday evening. 

Monday will see sunny conditions with a high near 63 degrees. Humidity will hover between 20 and 25 percent throughout the day, but fuel moisture levels will drop to below 7 percent, creating a combustable mixture which could allow for the rapid spread of wildfires.