Latest news with #FireWeatherWatches
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Beyond the Forecast: What are ‘Fire Weather Watches' and ‘Red Flag Warnings'?
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Over the weekend, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) upgraded the fire danger risk for numerous counties across the state, including placing Langlade and northern Marinette counties under an 'extreme' fire danger classification. That shift in risk level was quickly followed by the National Weather Service issuing a Fire Weather Watch, which was later elevated to a Red Flag Warning for 21 counties in total. 21 northern Wisconsin counties under warning from DNR face extreme wildfire conditions But what do these alerts mean? 'Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are a fire prevention tool to increase public awareness of the conditions and to assist in preventing human-caused fires,' explained Angela Rogers, the DNR's Oconto Falls team leader. 'Extreme fire danger is defined as explosive conditions, which is the worst possible fire danger that we can have here.' Several weather and environmental factors go into determining wildfire risk. Among them: dry ground from limited rainfall, low relative humidity levels below 25%, strong surface winds above 50 miles per hour, and temperatures warmer than 75 degrees. When these conditions align, Rogers urges the public to be extremely careful with any activity that could ignite a fire. 'What the public can do is avoid any burning — we really recommend not starting any fires,' said Rogers. 'Be cautious when mowing the lawn, using equipment such as chainsaws, smoking, grilling, or disposing of ashes. Make sure everything is out. In these windy, dry conditions, it's easy to spark a fire.' In a press release, the Wisconsin DNR said they responded to 100 wildfires in the past week alone, many in northern Wisconsin. That spike in fire activity led officials to raise the risk level from 'very high' to 'extreme.' The National Weather Service told Local 5 News that Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches remain rare. Since 2006, the NWS has issued just 21 Red Flag Warnings and 16 Fire Weather Watches for the region. Although areas such as Green Bay, the Fox Cities, and the lakeshore are not currently in the 'extreme' category, they are still classified under 'high' or 'very high' risk levels. Rogers said that even those areas should take the alerts seriously. 'It's not a bad idea to be extra cautious. Understand that in these elevated conditions, fires will start and spread very rapidly,' Rogers said. Green Bay fire and police teams work together to rescue baby raccoons Dry marshlands and invasive phragmites are especially vulnerable, but even fast-burning green grass fires are becoming more frequent. Residents are encouraged to stay updated on current fire conditions and local burn regulations by visiting the Wisconsin DNR's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Burn Bans issued in multiple Siouxland counties as summer-like stretch drags on
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — The continued hot, breezy, and dry stretch of weather continues across Siouxland through early this week, resulting in near critical to critical fire danger in parts of the area that continue to be in severe to extreme drought. In response to this dangerous fire weather, several counties in NE Nebraska and SE South Dakota have issued burn bans. Nebraska statewide burn ban extended again In Nebraska, Governor Jim Pillen extended the open burn ban and suspension of burn permit issuance throughout much of the state. The ban will remain in place through May 20. According to Governor Pillen's executive order, 'under no circumstances are burns to be authorized in any area' when a Red Flag Warning is issued. You can find the full executive order . Additional burn bans in the Siouxland area include: Yankton County, SD: Now through Wednesday, May 14th (Yankton County EMA) Union County, SD: Until 9 PM Monday, May 12th & 11 AM-8 PM Tuesday, May 13th No burning/open burns are permitted in these areas. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect through 9 PM Monday night for all areas within these burn bans with highs into the upper 80's/low 90's, gust 30-40 mph, and relative humidities less than 20-25% in place. In addition, Fire Weather Watches have already been issued from 11 AM through 9 PM Tuesday with near-critical to critical fire danger expected once again across the region as extremely dry, warm, and breezy conditions continue. Elevated fire danger is expected outside of these areas as well though with nearly all of Siouxland at least abnormally dry. Caution should be exercised regardless of if you're in a Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch as any fire that is sparked will spread rapidly. In and around these burn bans and Red Flag Warnings/Fire Weather watches, exercise extreme caution to avoid sparking a fire and: Use grills/smokers/etc on gravel/paved/non-grassy surfaces Properly dispose of cigarettes, don't toss them onto the ground Avoid outdoor burning & adhere to any burn bans issued Secure tow chains to avoid dragging/sparking Don't drive/park on grass/vegetation Be careful with equipment/tools that may cause sparks If you spot a fire, report it immediately by calling 911 For the latest weather any time in Siouxland, visit the . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Red Flag Warnings kick off this afternoon for western Colorado
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The western slope has seen a gorgeous week, and today is going to cap it off with a little bow. Partly sunny conditions will be around for most of the day with some gusty outflow winds expected. Winds could gust as high as 25 miles per hour in certain parts of the Grand Valley. Tonight, expect temperatures to drop into the upper forties as some cloud coverage rolls into the region. Due to all of these windy conditions, Red Flag Warnings will be in effect from noon to 8 p.m. temperatures remain in place through the weekend. An approaching system will also cause strong winds to form each afternoon through Sunday. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph, higher at times, are expected across much of the County Watch Area. Critical fire weather conditions will occur each afternoon through the weekend. Currently, Red Flag Warnings are in place for portions of central and southwest Colorado today and tomorrow. Fire Weather Watches are in place for Sunday. A cooler, showery pattern will follow this weekend`s disturbance bringing higher relative humidities and lower temperatures across the region.A low pressure system is sitting just off the coast of California today, and as it tracks towards Colorado, conditions will begin to change for early next week. However, this is also responsible for the gusty outflow winds of today. These windy conditions, along with the already-issued Fire Weather Warnings for western Colorado create conditions for a Red Flag Warning, which means fire danger is exceptionally high for the area. To all farmers doing controlled burns this weekend, take extra will be seeing similar conditions to tonight. The closed low will have made landfall in central California and the pressure gradient will continue to tighten. Deep mixing will tap into some stronger winds aloft so the end result will be another day of gusty winds. These winds will be a little stronger than seen today. Plenty of sunshine is expected as warm high temperatures continue. While temperatures soar today, expect a bit of a cooling trend headed into next week, hopefully returning the western slope closer to a temperature more associated with this time of expect a great end to your week with a little wind! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
27-03-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Firefighters battle to protect North Carolina homes as wildfires expand
Firefighters battle to protect North Carolina homes as wildfires expand Show Caption Hide Caption Multiple wildfires in North Carolina's Polk County Flames raged in North Carolina's Polk County as authorities reported multiple wildfires. The Black Cove Complex burning Thursday in western North Carolina is now the "highest priority fire in the U.S," the state Forest Service said as millions of residents across the parched region remained under alert for wildfires. Hundreds of Polk County residents have been forced from their homes for several days as the fire has spread into neighboring Henderson County. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the mountains of Polk and Henderson counties, indicating the potential for severe fire behavior and the possibility of rapid fire spread. Firefighters continue preparing firebreaks and protecting homes and businesses in anticipation of elevated temperatures, high winds and low humidity, the Forest Service said. Elsewhere, two fires in South Carolina grew rapidly Wednesday, and parts Georgia, West Virginia and Tennessee were also are threatened. "ALERT: There is an elevated fire danger across Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia away from the immediate coast again this afternoon," the Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina, warned in a social media post Thursday. "A Burn Ban remains in effect for all of South Carolina." The National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches to alert land management agencies about the possibility of weather and fuel moisture conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity. This could be due to a combination of low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, or any combination.
CBS News
20-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Spring has sprung with seasonal weather for Denver, high fire danger in Eastern Colorado
With the vernal equinox at 3:01 a.m. on March 20, Spring has officially sprung! As we enter the next season, the weather will be very seasonal. High temperatures for the Denver metro area will climb into the mid-50s Thursday afternoon under a partly cloudy sky. It will be breezy at times, with winds gusting as high as 25 mph for the Denver metro area. Wind speeds increase later Thursday afternoon. For the eastern plains and southeastern Colorado, breezy and dry conditions elevate fire weather concerns. Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are in place for those areas on Thursday. Winds could gust at times up to 40 mph. While most areas across the state remain dry for the next several days, light mountain snow showers will develop late Thursday evening. Much of the state will experience very seasonal temperatures for the first several days of Spring.
