Oh Great Silly Season Again

[MalahatTwo7]

Harve, hope you guys have your hatches buttoned down!

Weather Service Issues Wildfire Warning in Md., Va. Wind Advisory Also In Effect For D.C. Area

POSTED: 12:10 pm EST March 15, 2006
UPDATED: 12:54 pm EST March 15, 2006

A "red flag warning" about wildfires has been issued by the National Weather Service for all of Maryland except Garrett County.

The weather service says strong winds, low humidity and low fuel moistures have created conditions ideal for wildfires.

Weather service officials said dry conditions have caused a significant increase in the number of wildfires statewide since March 1.

More than 160 wildfires have burned about 363 acres in the past two weeks, according to the state Forest Service. And, officials said that number already exceeds the annual average of 130 fires for the entire month of March.

So far for 2006, the agency has responded to 265 wildfires, which has burned more than 5,400 acres.

And the same warning has been issued for entire state of Virginia except for western slopes of the Appalachians. Officials said firefighters have been battling wildfires all across Virginia for days, due to the extremely dry weather and high winds.

Virginia has a 4 p-m burn restriction in effect during fire season, which stretches from February 15th to April 30th. The law prohibits open-air fires before 4 p-m and after midnight.

The National Weather Service has also issued a wind advisory until 6 p.m. Officials said wind gusts of 30-40 mph, could make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.

Residents in the greater D.C. area are urged to bring in any loose objects and officials warn falling tree limbs could cause power outages.

Copyright 2006 by nbc4.com.

[Rescue101]

Nah,Harve's out polishing the 'dozer,hehe T.C.