Part of Pennsylvania under a fire warning until Friday evening

Friday at At 9:53 a.m., a Red Flag Warning was issued by the National Weather Service in effect Friday from noon to 7:00 p.m. for Blair, Huntingdon, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, Union, Snyder, Montour, Northumberland, Columbia, Perry, Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland , Adams, York and Lancaster counties.

Residents can expect winds to be out of the west 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph and relative humidity as low as 25 to 30 percent.

“Rapid growth and spread of wildfires is expected. Outdoor burning is not recommended,” the weather service adds.

What is the meaning of a red flag warning?

A red flag warning means that either extreme fire weather is currently in effect or will be shortly, according to the weather service. Warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds are expected to combine to increase the risk of the fire spreading quickly.

So what are the steps to follow during a red flag warning?

During a red flag warning, it is critical to exercise extreme caution and be prepared to take immediate action if a fire starts. The weather service offers these steps you can take to reduce the risk of fires starting and ensure your safety:

1. Bolster fire barrel safety:

• In areas where controlled burning is sanctioned, ensure that burn barrels have a heavy metal cover, fitted with holes no larger than 3/4 inch.

2. Careful handling of smoking materials:

• Never dispose of lit cigarette butts outside, and avoid throwing cigarettes or matches from a moving vehicle. These seemingly small actions can lead to the ignition of dry grass, potentially starting a wildfire.

3. Precautionary Fire Fighting Practices:

• To prevent accidental fire, carefully extinguish all outdoor fires. Drizzle them with plenty of water and stir to confirm that everything is cool to the touch. Immerse charcoal in water until thoroughly cooled. Never throw live coal on the ground.

4. Never leave a fire unattended:

• Avoid leaving fire unattended. Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass and start a fire that spreads quickly.

Understanding the severity of a red flag warning and following these precautions is critical to reducing the risk of wildfires in these dangerous conditions. Prioritize safety, stay well informed and act responsibly to protect life and property.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.