Fire Risk Elevated For MD Because Of Low Humidity, Winds

VIRGINIA/DC — Outdoor burning is a danger Saturday afternoon in much of Maryland, with low humidity and strong winds creating an enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency issued a special weather statement Friday urging Maryland residents to be careful with any source that could start a fire and to dispose of smoking materials properly.

Southwest winds will be around 18 to 23 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph until about 7 p.m. Saturday ahead of a cold front moving into the area, the NWS said. The winds could blow around unsecured objects and cause tree limbs to be blown down. A few power outages also may occur.

"Low relative humidities are forecast during this time as well, with values below 30 percent," the NWS said. "While some areas had rain in the last 24 hours, windy conditions and low humidity on Friday will have dried out fuels across the area. All of these factors combined will result in an elevated risk for the spread of fires Saturday afternoon."

The area is also under a wind advisory from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, the weather service said.

Officials said the special weather statement about the enhanced fire threat applies to these areas in Maryland: Carroll, Baltimore, Cecil, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, St. Marys, Calvert, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties.

The weather statement also includes the cities of Baltimore, Frederick, Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Elkton, Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, St. Charles, Waldorf, Lexington Park, California, Chesapeake Beach, Huntingtown, Dunkirk, North Beach, Lusby, Prince Frederick, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville and Aberdeen.

The NWS said outdoor burning is strongly discouraged Saturday afternoon. "If you do burn, use extreme caution and ensure fire suppression is readily available," the weather service said.

The strongest winds will likely occur between 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday as the cold front moves into the region. The region also could see some snow flurries Saturday afternoon.

Baltimore Gas & Electric said the strong winds may cause power outages. The utility suggests customers call (877) 778-2222 to report outages. BGE asks all customers, including those with smart meters, to report their outage. Outages may also be reported online, by texting OUT to MYBGE (69243), and via BGE’s free mobile app available today at the Apple Store or GooglePlay.

Here's the NWS forecast for the Baltimore region for the next few days:

Saturday: A slight chance of rain showers after 11am, mixing with snow after 3pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 46. Breezy, with a southwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming west 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming light after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 41. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 31. South wind 3 to 7 mph.

Washington's Birthday: Sunny, with a high near 56.

Monday Night: A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 30%.