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CUMBERLAND — The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne and Washington counties.
The warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will occur shortly with a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures that will create the potential for explosive fire growth.
Drought conditions across the state have led to an increase in wildfire potential. While open-air burning is legal in parts of Maryland, the Department of Natural Resources Forest Service strongly encourages homeowners not to do any outdoor burning until the state receives significant steady rainfall of 1 inch or more.
Open-air burning is the leading cause of wildfires in Maryland. During dry conditions, embers can easily ignite dry leaves or other forest fuels and start a wildfire. Caution is also urged with all other outdoor activities that may spark a wildfire, such as campfires and smoking.
Further restrictions may need to be put in place if the dry weather pattern continues.
For more information, contact Monte Mitchell, state fire supervisor, at 410-260-8503.
In West Virginia, a burn ban went into effect Tuesday morning for eight counties in the Potomac Highlands and Eastern Panhandle.
All outdoor burning in Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pendleton is prohibited.
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