Wildfire Threat This Afternoon

Until 3 p.m. today there is an enhanced threat for wildfires in Fairfax County and neighboring areas. Winds from the west will range from about 10 to 15 miles per hour late this morning, then northwest gusts in the afternoon will range from around 20 to 25 mph.

Minimum relative humidities this afternoon will be between 25 and 30 percent across most locations. Despite recent rainfall the lighter fuels have dried out.

The combination of the gusty wind, slow relative humidity and relatively low fuel moisture is causing the enhanced threat for wildfires across portions of Eastern West Virginia, Northern and Central Virginia and most of Maryland, the NWS said.