Weather Service Issues Fire Watch, Red Flag Warning

Due to dry conditions and gusty winds, the National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a red flag warning and a fire weather watch for parts of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania including Bucks and Montgomery counties.

The red flag warning remains in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and fire weather watch will be in effect from Sunday morning through Sunday evening.

Winds will be northwest from 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. The relative humidity 20 to 25 percent.

The peak winds and lowest relative humidity levels are expected late morning through early evening both Saturday and Sunday.

As a result, the potential exists for rapid spread if uncontrolled fires develop or even for prescribed burns to get out of control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds and low relative humidity will create explosive fire growth potential. A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur.

Here’s the local forecast:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind between 13 and 18 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind between 6 and 11 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind between 8 and 15 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind between 11 and 13 mph.