PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — With warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning.
“The combination of the three are going to create conditions that will be conducive for any fires that do develop to spread very rapidly,” said Lee Robertson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.
This is atypical weather for the late spring into early summer, according to Robertson.
“Usually we have more rainfall. We are usually much wetter, the trees have greened up and the leaves are out and more moisture with the air masses this time of year.“
Robertson said there is some chance of precipitation this week, with a higher chance of rain in the late weekend and into next week.
“I feel like I am a hay farmer out there cutting my grass. It’s pretty dry. So we can definitely use the rain.”
Much of the region hasn’t seen significant rainfall in about five weeks. He says the current dry conditions and expected wind gusts could cause a fire to spread rapidly.
In addition to the wildfire warning, air quality in the region is still poor because of smoke blowing over from wildfires burning in Canada.
The National Weather Service is reminding the public of fire safety tips, including the proper disposal of cigarette butts, keeping vehicles off of dry grass and avoiding activities with open flames or sparks.