Extreme Fire Danger In NoVa On Monday, Weather Service Warns

The forecast on Monday calls for temps to rise from the 40s in the morning to near 70 by the afternoon in the Northern Virginia area. As temperatures increase, winds may as well. Northwest winds will be 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The combination of strong winds and low humidity means that conditions may lead to the rapid spread of wildfires. As a result, the National Weather Service has issued what it calls a "red flag warning" for parts of Northern Virginia as well as the D.C. area and Maryland.

The red flag warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 30. Fires that develop may quickly grow out of control and be hard to contain.

During the warning period, all outdoor burning is discouraged. People should be careful that any lit items—like cigarettes or matches—are completely extinguished before disposal.

The red flag warning includes parts of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

Reporting by Patch editor Elizabeth Janney

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