Elevated fire danger in Central Pa. until Friday evening

A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Friday at 5:53 a.m. for elevated fire danger until 6 p.m. for Northern Clinton, Northern Centre, Southern Centre, Northern Lycoming, Southern Clinton and Southern Lycoming as well as Potter, Elk, Cameron, Clearfield, Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Somerset, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, Tioga, Sullivan, Union, Snyder, Montour, Northumberland, Columbia, Perry, Dauphin, Schuylkill, Lebanon, Cumberland, Adams, York and Lancaster counties.

"The combination of marginally dry and breezy conditions will create an elevated risk of wildfire spread across most of central Pennsylvania once again today. Minimum relative humidity values will be between 30 and 35% over the bulk of the region, but could drop as low as the mid 20s for several hours this afternoon. Wind gusts will be from the south to southwest between 15 and 25 mph. Some locations across the Central and Northern Mountains could see gusts from the southwest topping 30 mph between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches. If dry grasses and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have the potential to spread rapidly," says the weather service.