Crime & Safety
Threat of Fires Heightened This Week in Maryland
Open burns are not permitted Wednesday.
Conditions over the next two days are conducive to fires for most of Maryland, and the National Weather Service has issued a pair of alerts as a result.
On Wednesday a red flag warning is in effect, and on Thursday a fire weather watch has been issued, according to the National Weather Service.
A red flag warning means strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures may contribute to "extreme fire behavior," the weather service reported. Wind gusts Wednesday may be 20 to 30 mph and up to 40 mph in the early evening.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal has issued a ban on open burns Wednesday, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.
The warning is in effect for Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties as well as the District of Columbia between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
On Thursday a fire weather watch, meaning critical fire conditions are forecast, is in effect through the afternoon due to gusty winds and low relative humidity.
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