The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of an increased risk for fire spread across eastern Pennsylvania on Friday afternoon due to a combination of low relative humidity and gusty winds. The NWS has also issued a Fire Weather Watch for Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks and other counties in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey for Saturday, when conditions could become even more critical.
Friday afternoon, relative humidity values are expected to drop to 20 to 30 percent inland, except for coastal areas. This, combined with wind gusts of 15 to 20 mph, could create conditions in which fires spread rapidly and become difficult to control. The NWS strongly discouraged outdoor burning and urged members of the public to promptly extinguish any potential ignition sources, such as cigarette butts.
The warning comes amidst the region’s most severe drought in decades, which has already contributed to several wildfires, including a recent blaze on the Blue Mountain that consumed hundreds of acres.
Burn restrictions and bans are currently in place for Bucks and Northampton counties as well as other areas.
This local news story was reported with generative AI assistance.