Press Release from The National Weather Service – March 23, 8:58 a.m.
…ENHANCED THREAT FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRES THIS AFTERNOON…
MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES BELOW 25 PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON
AND SOUTHWEST WINDS UP TO 15 MPH WITH FREQUENT GUSTS OF 20 MPH
ACROSS CENTRAL VIRGINIA…PORTIONS OF THE POTOMAC HIGHLANDS IN
EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA…AND SOUTHERN MARYLAND. THE COMBINATION OF
GUSTY WINDS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND LOW FUEL MOISTURE BELOW 8
PERCENT WILL ENHANCE THE THREAT FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRES THIS
AFTERNOON.
GIVEN THE EXPECTED WEATHER CONDITIONS…ANY FIRES THAT DO OCCUR
COULD SPREAD QUICKLY AND BE DIFFICULT TO CONTAIN. BE VERY CAREFUL
OF HEAT AND SPARKS WHILE OPERATING ANY EQUIPMENT OR SMOKING IN
WILDLAND AREAS. VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT
OPEN BURNING IS PROHIBITED BY LAW BEFORE 4 PM…5 PM FOR WEST
VIRGINIA.