UPDATE: Red Flag Fire Warning Issued for NH

State officials have extended a no burn, Red Flag warning for most of New Hampshire through 8 p.m. on April 21, 2016, according to alerts online.

Most of the Granite State is under a Class 4 designation – or “high” – fire warning status meaning one step below the most dangerous warning level.

While wind will not be as strong as it was on April 20, light breezes remain a factor, especially due to the dry conditions.

“(The) lack of recent rainfall is keeping surface fuels dry across most of New Hampshire,” according to the alert issued yesterday. “Afternoon temperatures will warm into the 50s to near 60, resulting in relative humidity values dropping to near or below 20 percent. Winds will be gusty early in the day and will diminish a little in the afternoon.”

Even with the slightly diminishing winds, down to 10 mph, the very low relative humidity values and dry conditions “will create conditions for rapid and uncontrolled fire growth,” according to the alert.

The alert was elevated due to the dry conditions around the state which have caused a number of brush fires since last Friday, according to alerts online.