The National Weather Service has issued the following for Easter Sunday, April 5.
INCREASED FIRE THREAT FOR AREAS ALONG AND EAST OF THE BLUE
RIDGE INCLUDING NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
MARYLAND THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING…
THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING…THE COMBINATION OF DRY AIR…DRY
FUELS..AND BREEZY WINDS WILL ENHANCE OUR FIRE THREAT. RELATIVE
HUMIDITY VALUES WILL DROP TO AROUND 20 PERCENT WITH DRY FUEL
MOISTURES FORECASTED TO BE GENERALLY 7 TO 9 PERCENT. IN
ADDITION…INCREASING SOUTHWEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED…WITH
SUSTAINED WINDS AROUND 15 MPH AND GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH POSSIBLE.
RESIDENTS ARE URGED 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.