Red Flag Warning For Elevated Wildfire Risk Affects Parts Of NoVA

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — Dry conditions, low humidity and winds gusting up to 25 mph combine to pose a greater wildfire risk in Northern Virginia on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. A few areas of the region are under a red flag warning due to what forecasters call "critical fire conditions."

The red flag warning applies to Loudoun County and northwestern Prince William County. Other areas have an elevated wildfire threat, including Fairfax County, Arlington County, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, Fredericksburg, central and southeast Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.

The red flag warning means critical fire conditions are occurring or expected due to strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures. Winds between 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph are forecasted.

Areas with an elevated wildfire risk should see 10 to 15 mph winds with gusts between 20 to 25 mph through Wednesday afternoon. Humidity will be between 20 and 30 percent, and fuels will be dry due to the dry conditions. The fire risk continues until around 8 p.m. Wednesday, when winds will weaken and humidity will increase.

Forecasters recommend against outdoor burning, as wildfires may quickly spread and become hard to control. During a red flag warning, residents are urged to avoid throwing cigarettes or matches that may ignite in dry grass.

According to the Virginia Department of Forestry, nine of 10 wildfires are caused by people, which means they are preventable. Debris burning is identified as the top cause of wildfires in Virginia.

Virginia's 4 PM Burning Law restricts open air burning before 4 p.m. between Feb. 15 and April 30 if a fire is within 400 feet of the woods or dry grass that could spread fire to the woods. After 4 p.m., winds typically die down and humidity rises, reducing risks from open air fires. Campfires may be allowed despite the 4PM Burning Law when surrounded by a device like a ring of rocks and covered by a metal screen.

The Department of Forestry has tips for safe debris burning when allowed.