Elevated Wildfire Threat in the Hudson Valley: National Weather Service

In a week marked by many brush fires across the Hudson Valley, the National Weather Service has issued another set of warnings about wildfire conditions.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for southern Westchester:

...Conditions Favorable For Rapid Brush Fire Spread This afternoon......Red Flag Warning In Effect Until 6 PM EDT This Evening...The National Weather Service In Upton Has Issued A Red Flag warning...Which Is In Effect Until 6 PM EDT This Evening.* Affected Area...Northeast New Jersey...New York City...And southern Westchester County New York.* Winds...Southwest 10 To 15 Mph With Gusts Up To 25 Mph.* Relative Humidity...20 To 30 Percent.* Timing...This Afternoon.* Impacts...Rapid Fire Spread If Ignition Occurs.

A Red Flag Warning Means That Critical Fire Weather Conditions are Expected Or Occurring. A Combination Of Strong Winds...Low relative Humidity...And Dry Fuels Will Create A Significantlyelevated Fire Growth Potential.

A Special Weather Statement for Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties warns that:

A VERY DRY AIR MASS AND FINE FUELS PLUS GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL LEAD TO AN ELEVATED WILDFIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL TODAY.

PHOTO: The Warwick Fire Department assisted at a large brush fire in Florida on Monday/used with permission