STONEWOOD, W.Va. — A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for parts of North Central West Virginia from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday.
The Red Flag Warning replaces a Fire Weather Watch that had been issued for much of North Central West Virginia and the Northern Panhandle.
Counties included are Monongalia, Marion, Wetzel, the Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston counties, Preston, Harrison, Lewis, Taylor, Barbour, Upshur, Doddridge, Ritchie, Braxton, and Gilmer.
A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
Timothy Cermak, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, PA, told WKMZ News it’s important to be in a state of preparedness.
“If a fire ignites, it can become quite extreme and spread pretty rapidly,” he said.
During a Red Flag Warning, you should not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignire dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire.
“Atmospheric conditions are going to be very dry and windy,” Cermak said. “It does not necessarily mean there is an active fire.”
All outdoor fires should be extinguished properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.
A fire should never be left unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.
“Have at least two evacuation routes that you understand from wherever your community is. Make sure you have a ‘go’ kit. Make sure you have a way of receiving alerts,” Cermak said.
Cermak said anyone who sees fire or flames or smoke today should call 9-1-1 and report it.
Burning Season is in effect through the end of May in West Virginia, which limits fire burning to only the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. No outdoor burning should occur during a Red Flag Warning.
Story by Alex Wiederspiel, WKMZ