Red Flag Warning, Elevated Fire Danger Affect Northern Virginia

VIRGINIA — While a few parts of Northern Virginia are under a red flag warning, the rest of the region has an elevated fire danger Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

A red flag warning means "the combination of dry conditions, low humidity, and strong gusty winds may result in favorable conditions for the rapid spread of fires," forecasters say. Areas under the red flag warning include northwest, central and southeast Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fredericksburg, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County and other surrounding areas in central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

The red flag warning runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Humidity could be as low as 20 percent as winds reach 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

The National Weather Service says there is no chance of rain in Northern Virginia until Friday night and Saturday, when there is a 90 percent chance of showers.

During a red flag warning, the National Weather Service cautions against throwing cigarettes or matches that may ignite dry grass. Outdoor fires should be extinguished properly with plenty of water to ensure materials are cold.

Other parts of Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia face an elevated fire danger from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday. This includes Fairfax County, Arlington County, Falls Church, Alexandria and Loudoun County. During this time, forecasters urge caution when handling open flames, equipment that creates sparks, cigarette butts and other flammable objects. Dry grasses, dead leaves and other tree litter could ignite and spread fire quickly.

In Virginia, open burning between Feb. 15 and April 30 near woods or dry grass is permitted only between 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. due to low humidity and calmer winds during these times. Some localities have more restrictive open burning laws.

Here's the latest Northern Virginia weather forecast from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a west wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind around 6 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Northeast wind 6 to 13 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Rain, mainly after 8pm. Low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday: Rain. High near 56. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.