Caution: Potential for Wildfires Climbs on Wednesday

Be extra careful if smoking outside or working with equipment involving heat and sparks on Wednesday, weather officials advised.

There is an enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires due to low humidity and gusty winds until 3:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Should fires start from sparking machinery or smoking materials, they may spread quickly and be very difficult to contain, the weather service said in a statement.

The special weather statement regarding the enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires applies to these areas:

• Anne Arundel
• Allegany
• Baltimore
• Calvert
• Carroll
• Charles
• Frederick
• Harford
• Howard
• Montgomery
• Prince George's
• St. Marys
• Washington

Here is the full text of the special weather statement from the National Weather Service:

...ENHANCED THREAT FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRES THIS AFTERNOON... MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES BELOW 30 PERCENT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON AND SOUTHWEST WINDS UP TO 15 MPH WITH FREQUENT GUSTS OF 20 MPH ACROSS CENTRAL MARYLAND. THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND LOW FUEL MOISTURE BELOW 8 PERCENT WILL ENHANCE THE THREAT FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRES THIS AFTERNOON.

GIVEN THE EXPECTED WEATHER CONDITIONS...ANY FIRES THAT OCCUR COULD SPREAD QUICKLY AND BE DIFFICULT TO CONTAIN. BE VERY CAREFUL OF HEAT AND SPARKS WHILE OPERATING ANY EQUIPMENT OR SMOKING IN WILDLAND AREAS. VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT OPEN BURNING IS PROHIBITED BY LAW BEFORE 4 PM...5 PM FOR WEST VIRGINIA.

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