Red Flag Warning Issued for Massachusetts Wednesday

By LIZ TAURASI (Patch Staff)

A Red Flag warning is up for the entire state of Massachusetts Wednesday, except Nantucket, due to elevated fire potential. Dry weather and gusty winds will result in critical fire weather conditions, which is why the warning has been issued.

A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. Any fires that start may spread rapidly and become difficult to extinguish.

The Red Flag warning is in effect from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service puts a Red Flag warning in place when there is the potential for fires due to humidities at or below 30 percent and wind gusts of 25 mph or higher.

Winds on Wednesday are expected to come from the north at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. The relative humidity Wednesday will be as low as 15 percent.