Last Updated on April 1, 2023 6:10 pm
NCZ001>003-018-019-020100-Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Including the cities of West Jefferson, Sparta, Dobson, Boone,and Wilkesboro600 PM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023
…INCREASED FIRE DANGER IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
Very strong westerly winds have developed across western NorthCarolina this afternoon, resulting in very dry and warmconditions. Relative humidity has dropped to 10 to 20 percentacross much of the area, while winds will continue to gust from 35to 55 mph into the evening hours. The very dry air is causingvegetation to dry out rapidly despite this morning's rainfall,increasing the risk of wildfires. Wildfires will be especiallylikely associated with downed power lines. The strong winds couldresult in rapid spread of any fires that are started.
Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities on whetheryou can burn today. If you do burn, use extreme caution sincefires can quickly get out of hand under these conditions.