High Fire Risk In Maryland Prompted By Winds, Dry Weather

MARYLAND — Outdoor burning is a danger Friday with dry conditions and strong winds creating an enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency issued a special weather statement Friday urging people in parts of Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia to be careful with any source that could start a fire and to dispose of smoking materials properly.

Northwest winds will be around 5 to 13 mph with frequent gusts around 20 to 25 mph on Friday, forecasters say.

"Gusty winds are expected this afternoon across much of the area," the National Weather Service said. "Low relative humidities are forecast during this time as well, with values nearing 30 percent. Additionally, dry ... conditions over the past several days have dried out fuels across the area. All of these factors combined could result in an elevated risk for the spread of fires this afternoon."

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, the NWS said.

A cold front will reach the state Saturday night, bringing a chance of snow that night and on Sunday.

Officials said the special weather statement about the enhanced fire threat applies to these areas in Maryland: Baltimore Harbor, plus Carroll, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, Allegany, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties.

Also included are the cities of Hagerstown, Frederick, Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Baltimore, Bowie, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Waldorf, Cumberland, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Columbia, Ellicott City and Jarrettsville.

"Residents are urged to exercise caution handling any potential ignition source, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches," the National Weather Service said. "Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. Any dry grasses and tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly."

Temperatures will reach the low 60s on Friday, according to the National Weather Service forecast for the Baltimore-Washington area. They will drop to the 40s overnight.

Here are some tips for safe ash disposal:

• Take ashes outside, away from the house and combustible material.
• Put ashes in a metal bucket/container.
• Always use a metal container; never use a plastic or paper bag.
• Completely immerse the materials in water.
• Clear an area for the container — possibly down to dirt, ruling out the possibility that grass could catch fire if it were knocked over.
• Allow the contents to soak for at least a week.

Here's the weekend forecast:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62. South wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday: A chance of snow, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. North wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.