HARRISONBURG VA: (Rocktown Now) – The Shenandoah Valley and surrounding regions, including central and southern Maryland, eastern West Virginia, and northern and central Virginia, are facing a critical fire weather threat. The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch, in effect from late morning through afternoon.

The watch warns that a dangerous mix of strong winds and low humidity levels will create conditions ripe for rapid fire ignition and spread. Officials are urging residents to exercise extreme caution and avoid all outdoor burning activities.

Key conditions expected:
Timing: this morning through afternoon.
Winds: Northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph, with powerful gusts up to 45 mph.
Relative Humidity: Unusually low levels, between 15 and 25 percent.
“Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly,” the alert specifies, highlighting the severity of the expected impacts.
A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible. The public is strongly advised to listen for later forecasts and potential upgrades to a Red Flag Warning.