Red Flag Warning Issued For Critical Fire Threat In Montgomery County

NORRISTOWN, PA — The National Weather Service has issued a "red flag warning" in Montgomery County and a few nearby areas, indicating that conditions are ripe for a potential fire.

The warning is in place from 9:24 a.m. through 8 p.m. Wednesday.

"Critical fire weather conditions are expected," the National Weather Service's Mt. Holly, New Jersey branch said. "There will be increased risk for rapid wildfire growth and spread."

A combination of gusty winds and low humidity increase the fire hazard. Humidity will be down to 25 percent, with gusts up to 30 miles per hour and sustained winds of 15 miles per hour, officials said.

Conditions are most dangerous for wildfires in March, April, and May, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry.

All of the southeastern Pennsylvania is in the Bureau's "very high" risk category Wednesday.

"As the spring sun climbs higher in the sky, days become longer and warmer," the agency said. "The trees are bare during this time, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor, warming the ground, and drying surface fuels. Coupled with strong and dry spring winds, this leads to a tremendous amount of combustible fuels."

Parts of several other counties are part of the warning, including Carbon, Monroe, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Delaware, Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks.