Full Notification

RED FLAG WARNING & WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MUCH OF THE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS AND WESTERN PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect until 8 PM EDT this evening.


* AFFECTED AREA...Avery, Alexander, Iredell, Davie, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood, Buncombe, Catawba, Rowan, Graham, Northern Jackson, Macon, Southern Jackson, Transylvania, Henderson, Cleveland, Lincoln, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union NC, North Carolina Portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Caldwell Mountains, Greater Caldwell, Burke Mountains, Greater Burke, McDowell Mountains, Eastern McDowell, Rutherford Mountains, Greater Rutherford, Polk Mountains and Eastern Polk.


* TIMING...This afternoon and evening.


* WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.


* HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent.


* FUEL MOISTURE...Generally has fallen below 10 percent each of the past two afternoons, and with such low humidity today, fuels should only get drier.


* IMPACTS...Outdoor fires may easily grow out of control under these conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, .or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Instructions:

Avoid outdoor burning, could be a ban issued or already banned in certain areas.