If you are planning to conduct any type of outdoor burning Wednesday local authorities are asking you to use extreme caution and would prefer you wait.
That’s because the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the potential of enhanced spread of wildfires, which is in effect from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will occur shortly due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels. Any fires that develop may quickly get out of control and become difficult to contain.
Today’s weather forecast is for conditions ideal for brush fires: abundant sunshine, highs in the 60s, winds gusting up to 35 mph and very low humidity in the 20 to 30 percent range.
“A decision to burn today is RECKLESS,” officials with Lower Saucon Fire Rescue said in a post on their Facebook page Wednesday morning. “Conditions will be prime for rapid fire spread. You will risk not only property but injury and life to you and others. We can not say strongly enough to avoid any burning. Help us spread the word.”
In addition to the Lehigh Valley, the Poconos, Berks County, southeastern Pennsylvania, most of New Jersey and the entire state of Delaware are under the Red Flag Warning.
On Tuesday, local volunteer fire departments battled two different fires that broke out in eastern Lower Saucon Township.
A smaller brush fire was triggered by a downed power line in the 2200 block of Marlin Road.
The larger of the two fires burned brush in the 2300 block of Wassergass Road.
Dewey Fire Company, Lower Saucon Fire Rescue, Williams Township Fire Company and others responded to fight the blazes.
The following wildfire preparedness tips are from Ready.gov:
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- Keep household items that can be used as fire tools–a rake, axe, handsaw or chain saw, bucket and shovel–handy.
- Clear items that will easily burn from around your home. Wood piles, lawn furniture, barbecue grills, tarp coverings, etc., should be moved away from your defensible space.
- Identify and maintain an adequate outside water source such as a small pond, cistern, well, swimming pool or hydrant.
- Have a garden hose that’s long enough to reach any area of your home and other structures on your property.
- Learn more about what to do before a wildfire.
